It has been reported that in the last 10 years the economic gap between North and South English cities has dramatically widened.

The study by the Centre for Cities showed that for every 12 new jobs in southern cites, only one was formed elsewhere.

However, the EY Item Club's chief economic adviser, Professor Peter Spencer, said prospects for the UK economy were a lot brighter than three months ago: "Falling oil prices provide a nice offset to the weakness of exports, but will extend our dependence upon the home market and leave the economy seriously unbalanced."

Other cities in the UK that are underperforming are places such as Cardiff, Swansea and Aberdeen.

Greg Clark, the government’s cities minister said: "This government's long-term economic plan is working right across the country.

"We know there is more to do and that's why we have given greater powers to 27 of the UK's largest cities through City Deals, and why we have committed a further £7 billion to the North of England."