Almost all of the UK's most economically-struggling cities 'are in the north', study finds

Rochdale is among the most economically-struggling cities in the country, according to the research Credit: PA

Almost all of the UK's top 12 most economically struggling cities are in the north, new research has found.

According to a table drawn up for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Rochdale, Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and Hull all head the list, with 10 of the 12 top spots taken by northern cities.

None of the top 24 were taken by areas in the south.

Employment rates, numbers of highly qualified workers, types of jobs available and migration rates were all examined as part of the study.

The charity said their research showed many northern cities were lagging behind national levels. A submission will be put forward ahead of next month's Budget, in which they suggest the Treasury should create financial incentives for councils to tackle unemployment.

Policy and research manager Josh Stott said this would include Chancellor George Osborne ensuring that his 'Northern Powerhouse' project includes a wide range of areas across the north.

Experts say the 'Northern Powerhouse' needs to bring more investment across the whole region Credit: PA

Co-author of the report Andy Pike, who is a professor at the Local and Regional Development Studies Centre at Newcaste University, said the study revealed three kinds of cities - core, overshadowed and freestanding.

"Each [has] different predicaments and potentials for growth and prosperity," he said.

"If the commitment to rebalancing in the UK is meaningful then greater policy attention and resources by central and local government needs to be focused upon the particular needs of these cities lagging behind."

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said the Northern Powerhouse project had already helped give jobs to more than 440,000 people since 2010.