POLICY experts clashed over the existence of the north-south divide at a debate taking place as part of the York Festival of Ideas.

Ed Cox, director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR North), said the Government funding allocated to the north was tiny compared to London and the south-east, which was also where 30 out of the 40 UK Trade and Investment representativesweare based, meaning foreign private investment was concentrated there as well.

He said the threat facing the National Railway Museum and other northern science museums were an example of the lack of investment in the north.

“Over the past 20 to 30 years Government invested more and more in the economic growth of London and the south-east.

“It’s virtually doubled the amount of investment in London and south-east while it has flatlined in the north. As a result, the north of England has had to have money shoved to it through the Arts Council and other bodies.

“We have less economic investment and now we’re starting to get our cultural assets taken away from us as well. I would argue we will notice that more than getting considerably less transport infrastructure spending.”

But Jonathan Portes, director of the National Institute for Economic Research, argued the problem was not a geographical one. He said: “This isn’t necessarily about a north-south divide, more the areas with issues have economic problems rather than geographical problems.”

He said the UK as a whole needed a proper growth strategy, with the most significant thing being investment in education. He said there were local authorities in London in the 1990s which used to have fewer than half of children achieve less than five good GCSEs.

He said a sustained effort from political and educational leaders had improved the situation.

But Kersten England, chief executive of City of York Council, said the Government put up barriers to real regional devolution.

Kevin Brennan, chief executive of Quorn Foods, said there wasn’t a two-speed economy, but two economies.

He described the UK as a business, with its chief executive based in London, surrounded by prosperity and with no idea what was happening in the north.

The free panel debate on Supporting Business And Growing The Economy was held at the Ron Cooke Hub yesterday.


What’s coming up next on the festival agenda

Tomorrow’s line up for the festival includes Our Daily Bread on the history and importance of bread at Holgate Windmill, from 11am to 4pm.

There will be an exploration of Living Up North, with author Judith O’Reilly and journalist Paul Morley, at the Ron Cooke Hub at 7pm.

In addition, young and new novelists will give readings and interviews at the Hub between 12pm and 4pm.

BBC Radio Three’s Free Thinking show will debate how the War of the Roses shaped the country at the Ron Cooke Hub on Sunday at 2pm.

The Historic Atlas Of York will explore 2,000 years of development at York Explore Library on Sunday. at 2pm.