Yorkshire loses ground on UK, new economic figures show

OFFICIAL figures put the spotlight on the sluggish Yorkshire economy as it showed the region was among the slowest-growing in 2013.

Of the 12 economic regions of the UK, Yorkshire and Humber was ranked ninth for improvements last year, based on gross value added (GVA) per head.

GVA measures the increase in the value of the economy due to the production of goods and services. In the region it increased 2.4% last year, to £19,053, as the gap to the UK average grew further and now stands at £4,702.

Within the region, the local authority areas of North Yorkshire and Leeds were the strongest performers, with growth of 3.7% and 3.6% respectively, while Hull and Calderdale and Kirklees managed just 0.9% and 0.5%.

In terms of GVA per head, Leeds continues to drive the region, with £26,741, which compares with the weakest area, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham, with £14,235.