Northern cities a ‘lost cause’ says report

CITIES across Northern England – including Leeds, Bradford and Hull – are “beyond revival” and residents should consider moving south, an independent think tank has suggested today.

The controversial report by Policy Exchange said the regeneration of many towns and cities in the north was doomed to fail and residents should consider relocation as a way to avoid becoming “trapped” in poorer areas.

Liverpool, Sunderland and Newcastle were also named in the report which suggests residents should move to London, Cambridge and Oxford which would become the economic powerhouses of the 21st century.

However one author in the report did admit that some people would find the findings “barmy”.

Tim Leunig, a lecturer in economic history at the London School of Economics, said: “No doubt some people will claim that these proposals are unworkable, unreasonable and perhaps plain barmy. But the issue is clear: current regeneration policies are failing the very people they are supposed to be helping and there is no evidence that the trend will be reversed without radical changes.”

The report also argues restrictions on house-building in the south-east should be lifted to lower house prices and land earmarked for industrial use should be released for housing.

The resulting price increase for industrial land would force some firms to relocate to cheaper areas, meaning more jobs for people in struggling towns and cities.

Mr Leunig added: “If we are to ensure that people in this country have similar opportunities, regardless of where they are born, we need to allow people to move from places with few prospects to places that offer more opportunities.”

Do you agree with the Policy Exchange and its views on regeneration in Yorkshire’s cities? Please add your comments below.