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Northern cities 'improve on jobs' Northern cities 'improve on jobs'
(about 7 hours later)
Half of the most improved cities in the UK for job growth are in the north of England, research shows.Half of the most improved cities in the UK for job growth are in the north of England, research shows.
However, the study of 56 cities and towns by the Centre for Cities found that the northern cities still have below average employment rates.However, the study of 56 cities and towns by the Centre for Cities found that the northern cities still have below average employment rates.
Doncaster and Sunderland still had employment rates "considerably" below the national average, but were among the most improved for new jobs.Doncaster and Sunderland still had employment rates "considerably" below the national average, but were among the most improved for new jobs.
Communities minister Hazel Blears said cities had improved in the past decade.Communities minister Hazel Blears said cities had improved in the past decade.
'More to be done''More to be done'
"Where once the wrecking balls demolished the factories and warehouses in our city centres, today the cranes fill the skyline building the cities of the future."Where once the wrecking balls demolished the factories and warehouses in our city centres, today the cranes fill the skyline building the cities of the future.
"We all know there's more to be done, and issues like poverty to be tackled," she said."We all know there's more to be done, and issues like poverty to be tackled," she said.
"But let no-one fall into the trap of talking our cities down, or pretending things haven't improved in the past decade.""But let no-one fall into the trap of talking our cities down, or pretending things haven't improved in the past decade."
The report shows that, out of the top 10 improving cities - based on employment growth over 10 years - four are northern.The report shows that, out of the top 10 improving cities - based on employment growth over 10 years - four are northern.
Doncaster ranked sixth, Sunderland seventh, Sheffield ninth and Warrington was the tenth most improved city.Doncaster ranked sixth, Sunderland seventh, Sheffield ninth and Warrington was the tenth most improved city.
However, employment rates for these northern cities were still considerably below the national average, the research suggested.However, employment rates for these northern cities were still considerably below the national average, the research suggested.
InequalitiesInequalities
Sunderland ranked almost bottom, with 31% of the city's working age population not in employment compared with 26% nationally.
The centre looked at economic performance within cities as well as between cities and found "inequalities" across the UK, with some large areas known for their regeneration and new buildings being the most unequal.The centre looked at economic performance within cities as well as between cities and found "inequalities" across the UK, with some large areas known for their regeneration and new buildings being the most unequal.
It concluded that Manchester was the most unequal city in England, as "less than a mile from Manchester's new Piccadilly Station (and London's Canary Wharf), there are entrenched pockets of worklessness and underperforming housing markets".It concluded that Manchester was the most unequal city in England, as "less than a mile from Manchester's new Piccadilly Station (and London's Canary Wharf), there are entrenched pockets of worklessness and underperforming housing markets".
Our biggest cities like Birmingham, Manchester and London are polarised within their own boundaries Dermot FinchDirector of Centre for CitiesOur biggest cities like Birmingham, Manchester and London are polarised within their own boundaries Dermot FinchDirector of Centre for Cities
In Manchester 35% of the working age population were unemployed, compared with a figure of 20% in nearby Stockport. The Centre for Cities is an independent urban policy research unit that works to understand how and why economic growth and change takes place in Britain's cities.
In Birmingham the figure was 37%, compared with 21% in neighbouring Solihull, while in Tower Hamlets in London the figure was 47%, as against 22% in Sutton. The centre's director, Dermot Finch, said: "These figures show that it's less 'grim up north'.
The "most equal" list was topped by Cambridge, Crawley and Aldershot.
The director of Centre for Cities, Dermot Finch, said: "These figures show that it's less 'grim up north'.
"Cities like Warrington and Doncaster are on the up, but need to sustain this momentum over many years if they are going to catch up with the likes of York and Milton Keynes."Cities like Warrington and Doncaster are on the up, but need to sustain this momentum over many years if they are going to catch up with the likes of York and Milton Keynes.
"Our biggest cities like Birmingham, Manchester and London are polarised within their own boundaries."Our biggest cities like Birmingham, Manchester and London are polarised within their own boundaries.
"They need to address the deep-rooted wealth inequalities on their own patch, by moving beyond constructing shiny new buildings if they are to continue to grow.""They need to address the deep-rooted wealth inequalities on their own patch, by moving beyond constructing shiny new buildings if they are to continue to grow."

Population change

  Population 2006 Annual Growth Rate Fastest growing     Oxford 149,100 1.40% Milton Keynes 224,800 1.30% Telford 161,900 1% York 191,900 0.90% Cambridge 117,900 0.90% Swindon 186,600 0.80% Southampton 347,600 0.70% London 8,757,200 0.70% Bristol 664,900 0.70% Norwich 251,700 0.70%       Slowest growing     Grimsby 158,900 0.00% Birmingham 2,293,500 0.00% Stoke 363,500 -0.20% Newcastle 807,000 -0.20% Birkenhead 393,000 -0.30% Glasgow 580,700 -0.30% Hull 256,200 -0.30% Liverpool 765,000 -0.30% Sunderland 280,600 -0.40% Belfast 267,400 -0.80%       Great Britain 58,845,700 0.40% Source: Nomis

Population change

  Population 2006 Annual Growth Rate Fastest growing     Oxford 149,100 1.40% Milton Keynes 224,800 1.30% Telford 161,900 1% York 191,900 0.90% Cambridge 117,900 0.90% Swindon 186,600 0.80% Southampton 347,600 0.70% London 8,757,200 0.70% Bristol 664,900 0.70% Norwich 251,700 0.70%       Slowest growing     Grimsby 158,900 0.00% Birmingham 2,293,500 0.00% Stoke 363,500 -0.20% Newcastle 807,000 -0.20% Birkenhead 393,000 -0.30% Glasgow 580,700 -0.30% Hull 256,200 -0.30% Liverpool 765,000 -0.30% Sunderland 280,600 -0.40% Belfast 267,400 -0.80%       Great Britain 58,845,700 0.40% Source: Nomis