London attracts one-quarter of graduates from UK universities

Centre for Cities report finds 24% of new graduates in 2014 and 2015 were working in capital within six months of finishing

The challenges faced by the government in tackling the economic dominance of the south of England has been illustrated by a report showing that London is attracting a disproportionate share of graduates.

Ahead of Philip Hammond's first autumn statement this week, the report by thinktank Centre for Cities, published on Monday, found that one in four recent university leavers chose to work in the capital, a brain drain harming the prospects of other cities by depriving them of the skills they need, as the economy shifts towards knowledge-intensive activities.