North-south divide apparent by age five, report finds

Research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), found that less than half (47 per cent) of children from deprived families in the north of England reach a good level of development by the age of five.

This is 12 percentage points behind disadvantaged children living in London.

The report, which looked at what is required to create a successful northern economy, found that the potential of people in the north is being held back at all stages of their lives, starting before they reach school.

While 55 per cent of young people in the North achieve five GCSEs at A*-C, this fell to 33 per cent for pupils on free school meals.

Overall, performance of pupils in the north at GCSE level is 1.9 percentage points worse than England as a whole.

The report concludes that the north must catch up with the national rate of early years attainment for under-fives, focusing on the most deprived.

“While poverty is an important factor, this gap serves to highlight the potential for policy to make a difference," the report states.

"The north is lagging behind, and it must improve faster – closing the gap with the country as a whole – if it is to embed prosperity for future generations."

Ed Cox, director at IPPR North, said: “We will never become a powerhouse economy when our children and young people have such a poor start in life.

"It will take a generation of investment: not only in new railways and motorways, but in the ‘human capital’ of the north – in education and training, starting with the youngest."