Regional economies ‘falling behind’
MPs have warned that economies in six regions may suffer if measures are not taken to stimulate growth in Britain as a whole.
The warning was issued by the Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions committee which says that the six regions in the north, midlands and south-west are in danger of missing targets on prosperity.
The chairman of the committee, Andrew Bennett explained that the differences between the economies of the English regions have continued to widen in recent years resulting in higher unemployment and shorter life expectancy in the north and escalating house prices and congestion in the south east.
The country’s worst poverty, joblessness and bad health are concentrated in the regions and MPs are concerned that the correct funding and initiatives are not in place to stimulate growth.
‘Relying on endless growth in the south east would do little to help people in Middlesbrough or Penzance. It (the Government) is promoting bodies like regional development agencies and regional assemblies but they will only scratch the surface,’ Mr Bennett told the BBC.
Last month the Deputy Prime Minister announced that three regions, the North East, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber will get referendums to decide whether they want elected regional assemblies.
