Laura Sharman 21 May 2020

'Red Wall' areas most at risk of economic scarring, think tank warns

Red Wall communities areas are most vulnerable to permanent economic scarring as a result of coronavirus, new research has warned today.

The research, by the Centre for Progressive Policy, has warned communities across the Midlands and Northern England are set to suffer more than double the permanent losses in economic output projected for the South East.

It found that Red Wall areas are likely to see economic output fall by 12% over the next five years, compared to the national average of 8%. This is also more than double the average projected losses in regions like the South East at 5%.

The research shows that more than three quarters of all local authorities (77%) will not have recovered their expected level of output based on pre-crisis trends.

The Centre for Progressive Policy is urging the Government to first shore up the worst affected local economies and then eturn to a revitalised levelling up agenda.

Charlotte Alldritt, director at the Centre for Progressive Policy, said: 'While policymakers are rightly concerned with the immediate economic shock of coronavirus, history has taught us that recessions have deep and long-lasting effects, which are rarely spread evenly across country. This crisis is clearly no different, with those ‘left behind’ areas on course to bear the economic brunt.

'The Government had already signalled its intent to ‘do right’ by voters who had lent them their vote but these communities have been let down by successive governments in the past. If this administration can fulfil its ambition to level up successfully, it would be righting decades of economic injustice. Covid-19 has made this daunting task even harder, but success is now both a political and economic imperative.'

Photo: Mihai-Bogdan Lazar / Shutterstock.com

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner