Newcastle has been ranked as one of the most improved cities in the 海角视频 in a report that suggests greater problems in the wider North East.
PwC’s Good Growth for Cities report ranks Newcastle as the fourth most improving city in the 海角视频, though it comes 29th out of 42 in a table of cities around the 海角视频.
Sunderland comes bottom in the PwC list for the third year running, while Middlesbrough and Stockton (which are considered together) are only four places higher.
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The Good Growth list, compiled with think tank Demos, is based on a number of factors judged to be important to an area’s economic wellbeing, which include jobs, health, income and skills, as well as work-life balance, the affordability of housing, travel-to-work times, income equality, the environment and business start-ups.
Newcastle has increased its score primarily due to an improvement in its work-life balance and by strong improvements in transport, which came at the same time as a national decline.
Jonathan Greenaway, PwC’s office senior partner in Newcastle, said: “It’s pleasing to see Newcastle featured as one of this year’s top 10 improving cities and making one of the largest improvements within the index, which I believe is testament to the vibrant and sustainable economy which is being created across the North East.
“Building and creating ongoing working relationships between business, Combined Authorities and LEP’s is vital to ensure that this positive momentum is maintained and replicated across other cities within the region.
“It’s essential that in order for the region to prosper post-Brexit we all need to ensure we play our part.”
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Sunderland and Middlesbrough/Stockton were two of just five areas nationally that were given minus scores in the Good Growth index.
Oxford topped the list, followed by Reading and Southampton. The three most improved areas were Bradford, Liverpool and Norwich, followed by Newcastle.
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PwC chief economist John Hawksworth said: “Our long-term analysis shows that good growth improvements across the 海角视频 since 2005 have been largely driven by skills and new business creation.
“As the economy and world of work transforms, ensuring people are equipped with the digital and other skills they need for future jobs will remain critical to sustaining these improvements.
“But there are also less positive long-term trends, particularly relating to deteriorating housing affordability and ever longer commuting times. These issues will require sustained investments in affordable housing supply and transport infrastructure in order to address.”
A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: "The City Council has a different version of events and questions about this survey’s mix of statistics and subjectivity."