Northern cities ramp up competitiveness but regions still languish

Northern cities such as Newcastle, Leeds and Liverpool have improved their competitiveness, suggesting a continued urban renaissance, a national study says.

The UK Competitiveness Index 2013, compiled by the Geography academics, shows LEP areas in the South East are by far the most competitive but a number of England’s largest cities have improved their positions.

York was ranked 17 in the table of top performers above the likes of Birmingham and Cardiff, while Leeds ranked at 18 and Newcastle moved to 25.

Sheffield was placed at 34 and Sunderland was ranked 45 in the list.

At the regional level it was only the North West that showed any improvement on its competitiveness score at +0.3. Again, London and the South East lead the way while Cleveland and Redcar, Knowsley and Walsall were among the bottom performers.

By LEP area the top of the table was dominated by the South East and Tees Valley, North Eastern, Liverpool City Region and the Black Country were among the bottom four areas.

The Competitiveness Index is compiled using data on development and sustainability of businesses and the economic welfare of individuals. Competitiveness is considered to be the capability of an economy to attract and maintain firms with stable or rising market shares in an activity, while maintaining stable or increasing standards of living for those who participate in it.

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