Low wages and high welfare tag for city and town centres including Blackpool

A Think Tank's research into city and town centres revealed only one-in-four were delivering a '˜high wage, low welfare' economy.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Jan 2016, 10:06 BST

Updated 26th Jan 2016, 10:09 BST

Pictures: Bill Johnson. Blackpool Illuminations.

Almost half – including Blackpool – were classified as having a ‘low wage, high welfare’ economy, according to Centre for Cities.

Alexandra Jones, chief executive of the think tank, said: “One of the most pressing issues is the need to tackle skills gaps and improve schools attainment, especially in low-wage cities, to help those places attract businesses and jobs, and support more people to move into work.

“This should be a key part of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse.”

But a spokeswoman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “In fact, 1.5 million more people are in work outside London and the South East compared to 2010.”