ECONOMIC GROWTH

Is the North/South divide history or current affairs?

Trying to equalise wealth between the UK’s regions has challenged governments for the past 70 years. It will certainly be a priority for the next one, whether Mr Cameron’s or Mr Miliband’s, writes Michael Burton.

The usually unflappable cities minister Greg Clark must have been apoplectic when the latest Centre for Cities report dropped into his intray last week, embargoed for publication on 19 January.

In a normal year the respected centre's conclusion that the North/South economic divide has actually widened in the past decade would be controversial enough. In an election year it is positively explosive – and unsurprisingly, hit the headlines.

Michael Burton

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