A MASSIVE difference in economic growth between southern cities and the rest of Britain has been identified in research published today.

For every 12 new jobs created in the south since 2004, just one was created in other parts of the country, according to Centre for Cities researchers.

The group said that national economic growth had been largely driven “by only a handful of cities, mainly in the south.”

Jobs in London have risen by over 17 per cent since 2004 while Blackpool, Gloucester and Rochdale saw falls of 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, the number of new businesses increased by almost a third in Swindon but fell by 5.5 per cent in Grimsby.

The findings painted an “enormous gap in the fortunes of UK cities over 10 years,” said Centre for Cities acting chief executive Andrew Carter.

“This report makes the strongest economic case yet for the next government to step up to the challenge of investing in the long-term success of our cities.”