Some cities face a jobs shortage as much as a worker shortage

Skills and education levels matter but so does the strength of the local economy

Northern cities - such as Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Blackburn - have much higher rates of inactivity related to poor health

Recent increases in activity have not followed a standard 'north - south divide'

The legacy of the 1980s is still visible in today's labour market

There is a big gap between official unemployment and hidden unemployment ('involuntary inactivity' + unemployment) rates

'Involuntary inactivity' (inactivity that is less likely to be a positive choice) is greater in the North. 8 of 10 places with highest rates are northern cities and large towns.