MEP VOICES CONCERNS OVER NORTH SOUTH DIVIDE (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

MEP VOICES CONCERNS OVER NORTH SOUTH DIVIDE

December 7, 2004 12:00 AM

Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North East, has expressed her concern over new figures published by the Liberal Democrats which reveal that Labour has done nothing to tackle the North/South earnings divide since coming to power.

While the poorly paid workers of the North East have seen their average earnings increase by just £48 a week since 1998, Londoners have seen a huge £95 a week jump.

Ms. Hall said:

'These figures show that Labour is failing to reverse the regional disparities in wage levels. Even worse than that, the earnings gap has increased dramatically since they came to office.

'While the South of the country is booming, the North East is trailing behind. It is vital that we make real progress on this issue soon, and following the 'No' vote in the Regional Assembly referendum, we need new and innovative solutions to this problem.

'The Prime Minister's claim that there is no north-south gap is completely undermined by these figures. I will be doing everything I can in the European Parliament to ensure that the North East gets a fair deal, and will be investigating what funding is available for initiatives that will bolster the economic success of the region.'