The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has claimed that the government's plans to cut spending will have a disproportionate impact on northern England and leave thousands out of work.
Responding to cutbacks recently proposed by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat alliance, the centre-left think tank proposed cutting the budget deficit over six years rather than four to reduce the effect of the changes on the north.
"With so many jobs in the north reliant on the public sector, fast and deep cuts risk a sudden surge in unemployment and a leap in the welfare bill," the IPPR stated. "The severity and speed of the cuts threatens the recovery in northern England."
The organisation also warned that the northern private sector remains particularly weak and urged the government to reconsider its current approach.
Earlier this month, a spokesman for the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians admitted that further job losses in the building sector remain a real possibility.
Posted by Ross Fisher
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