North-South divide ‘wider than ever’

The North East and Wales have suffered the greatest “household financial stress” since the start of the recession, a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found today.

PwC’s UK Economic Outlook showed the historic North-South divide has widened over the period from 2007, with Londoners being the most sheltered from economic turmoil despite relatively high unemployment.

The North East, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have the highest proportions of public sector workers and were the most vulnerable to cuts in the sector.

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While all regions experienced rising job losses between the last three months of 2007 and May to July this year, the North East “clearly suffered the greatest increases”, the report said.

Yorkshire and Humberside, also saw relatively large increases in unemployment, issues highlighted in the Yorkshire Post’s Give us a Fair Deal campaign.