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| UK's North-South divide 'closing' | UK's North-South divide 'closing' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The UK's economic North-South divide is beginning to close, a report based on the Competitiveness Index suggests. | The UK's economic North-South divide is beginning to close, a report based on the Competitiveness Index suggests. |
| Research showed London, the South East and east England were less competitive when judged on economic factors such as employment and start-up rates. | Research showed London, the South East and east England were less competitive when judged on economic factors such as employment and start-up rates. |
| Meanwhile, the traditionally less competitive areas of Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, Wales and the North East were markedly more competitive. | Meanwhile, the traditionally less competitive areas of Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, Wales and the North East were markedly more competitive. |
| But London remained the most dynamic area on the index which began in 2000. | But London remained the most dynamic area on the index which began in 2000. |
| The North East continued to be the least competitive overall. | The North East continued to be the least competitive overall. |
| Brighter future | Brighter future |
| Robert Huggins, who compiled the Competitiveness Index, said that a new chapter was about to be written. | Robert Huggins, who compiled the Competitiveness Index, said that a new chapter was about to be written. |
| "For as long as most of us can remember, the story of the UK's economic performance has been a tale of two nations - the go-ahead London and south east region and the north and west of the country stuck in the doldrums of post-industrial blight," he said. | "For as long as most of us can remember, the story of the UK's economic performance has been a tale of two nations - the go-ahead London and south east region and the north and west of the country stuck in the doldrums of post-industrial blight," he said. |
| UK COMPETITIVE INDEX* 1 London (1)2 South East (2)3 Eastern England (3)4 East Midlands (4)5 South West (5)6 Scotland (8)7 West Midlands(6)8 North West (7)9 Yorkshire & The Humber (9)10 Northern Ireland (10)11 Wales (11)12 North East (12) *Source - UK Competitive Index 2006; 2005 ranking in brackets | UK COMPETITIVE INDEX* 1 London (1)2 South East (2)3 Eastern England (3)4 East Midlands (4)5 South West (5)6 Scotland (8)7 West Midlands(6)8 North West (7)9 Yorkshire & The Humber (9)10 Northern Ireland (10)11 Wales (11)12 North East (12) *Source - UK Competitive Index 2006; 2005 ranking in brackets |
| The study measures a number of factors, such as business start-up rates and employment rates. | The study measures a number of factors, such as business start-up rates and employment rates. |
| According to the report the "competitive and operating environment in many lagging regions has improved markedly". | According to the report the "competitive and operating environment in many lagging regions has improved markedly". |
| It points to the North East where the level of innovation - reflected by trade mark and design applications - was second only to London. | It points to the North East where the level of innovation - reflected by trade mark and design applications - was second only to London. |
| Meanwhile, areas that traditionally suffer high unemployment rates, such as Northern Ireland, the North East and Scotland also experienced positive changes. | Meanwhile, areas that traditionally suffer high unemployment rates, such as Northern Ireland, the North East and Scotland also experienced positive changes. |
| Investment boost | Investment boost |
| Mr Huggins added that the figures indicated that the government's devolution and regional development policies could be bearing fruit. | Mr Huggins added that the figures indicated that the government's devolution and regional development policies could be bearing fruit. |
| "The signs are that strategic development through devolved institutions and regional development agencies is starting to make a difference," he said. | "The signs are that strategic development through devolved institutions and regional development agencies is starting to make a difference," he said. |
| "Targeted regional investment appears to reduce unemployment and lift regional competitiveness." | "Targeted regional investment appears to reduce unemployment and lift regional competitiveness." |
| However, the Work Foundation's director Ian Brinkley added that the figures should be treated with caution as they reflected just one year's data. | However, the Work Foundation's director Ian Brinkley added that the figures should be treated with caution as they reflected just one year's data. |
| Meanwhile, the foundation itself added that the improved figures should not lead to complacency, saying: "Major problems persist." | |
| According to the report's figures business start-ups fell across the country, while in some areas there are not enough companies to create competitive economies that can be maintained. | According to the report's figures business start-ups fell across the country, while in some areas there are not enough companies to create competitive economies that can be maintained. |