BLACKBURN and Burnley both fared badly in two statistical reports published this week on the North/South divide.

The studies claim the two towns are failing to share in the economic recovery.

The Centre for Cities says for every 12 jobs created since 2004, in southern cities, only one was created in cities elsewhere.

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Blackburn is in the bottom ten for employment, 61st out of 64 for the lowest employment rate at just 63.4 per cent in 2012/2013, down 2.1 per cent on the previous 12 months.

Burnley is in the bottom ten for population growth (62nd) and growth in private sector jobs between 2004 and 2013 (58th) having lost 5,900, 11.8 per cent down.

A separate report by analysts The Lankelly Chase Foundation reveals Blackburn with Darwen borough has the 16th highest proportion of residents suffering multiple disadvantage and deprivation.

Six of the 25 local authorities reporting the highest level of problems caused by a combination of homelessness, substance abuse and contact with the criminal justice system, high levels of poverty and social isolation, and mental health problems are in the North West.

Blackburn Labour MP Jack Straw and his Burnley Liberal Democrat counterpart Gordon Birtwistle said the two towns were fighting back despite the figures from the two think-tanks.

Lankelly Chase calls “for far-reaching changes and a co-ordinated approach” to address multiple disadvantage from government, local authorities and the voluntary sector.

Blackburn and Burnley are both in the bottom ten major urban areas in the UK for low growth in the number of homes at 56th and 63rd respectively over the ten years to 2013, according to the Centre for Cities.

The grim reports come against a picture of an overall strengthening in the economy painted by a new survey by the EY Item Club.

The Centre for Cities warns that smaller places could fall further behind without more powers being devolved to regions.

Mr Straw said: “There are real problems with economic growth and poor quality housing in Blackburn that the borough council is trying to address.”

“It could do with more help from the coalition government, whose decision to scrap the Elevate housing market renewal scheme was a disastrous mistake.”

Mr Birtwistle said: “Since 2011 Burnley has really turned things around. Private sector job creation really taken off and unemployment halved..”

Cities minister, Greg Clark, said: “This government’s long-term economic plan is working right across the country.”