PM seeks south-east Asian investment in 'Northern Powerhouse'

David Cameron has urged investors from south-east Asia to pump money into the cities of northern England.

The Prime Minister called for foreign investors to "look at Britain in a new way" by considering opportunities in the "Northern Powerhouse" rather than just London.

Mr Cameron made the call in Singapore, where he was joined by Business Secretary Sajid Javid and a delegation of firms and civic leaders from northern cities including Manchester and Leeds.

Speaking at Unilever's base in Singapore, Mr Cameron told potential investors: "I really would encourage you to look at Britain in a new way. There's plenty of investment opportunities, of course, in London and the South East - London, this amazing global city - but look again at the North."

Mr Cameron pointed out that Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles was a "Yorkshireman by blood" as he attempted to woo local investors.

Mr Cameron added: "From the North Sea to the Singapore Strait, let's get more trade flowing."