'Northern powerhouse' depends on productivity not rail links: thinktank

Centre for Cities says plan is too focused on intercity transport rather than improving performance of individual cities

Cities in the north of England must become more productive if the chancellor is to realise his vision of a so-called "northern powerhouse", a thinktank has said.

The Centre for Cities said George Osborne's plan to bridge the economic gap between the wealthier south and the poorer north was too heavily focused on intercity transport links, and not enough on improving the performance of individual cities.