North of England more vulnerable to Brexit impact than south, think tank warns

The north of England is more vulnerable to Brexit impact than the south and concerns of voters there, must be taken more seriously by the government and media establishments, a think tank has said.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said there will be a "profound" impact on the northern economy from Brexit, as the region is heavily dependent on trade with the European Union.

It called for the creation of a northern Brexit negotiating committee to determine the type of Brexit that would best suit the north and build relationships with specific regions in Europe that would serve its trade interests.

Addressing northern business leaders in Leeds on 9 December, IPPR North director Ed Cox will admonish the establishment for dismissing Leave voters in the north as "foolish".

"In June, the people spoke. But in the north, they shouted," he will say, according to the Guardian newspaper.

"It has made me very angry that since the referendum, when it has become clear that the northern economy could suffer significantly as a result of the Brexit decision, that some in the metropolitan media have presented northerners as foolish or simple.

"We believe that Brexit is a cry of community outrage at the imbalances of wealth and power, played out in glorious technicolour within and between the regions of this nation.

"Scotland had already had its say, in June it was a chance for England to rise up against the wishes of the Westminster elite."

The IPPR report noted that the northern economy had passed the £300bn ($378bn)-mark over the past year, but warned that "dark clouds are gathering on the horizon" following the Brexit vote.

"Whether in terms of trade, access to skilled labour or EU funding programmes, the implications of Brexit on the North will be profound," it said.

"There will be upsides of course but for the time being business is cautious and concerned."