LIVERPOOL and other “struggling cities” face a long hard slog to pull out of recession without extra government help, a hard-hitting report said today.

The Centre for Cities think-tank claimed the economic crash has widened the wealth gap between Britain’s big urban centres, with many doomed to experience its harsh effects “for years to come”.

Among the cities placed in the firing line was Liverpool, described as the worst unemployment blackspot of 64 towns and cities and the second worst for qualifications.

Liverpool performs only a little better for “business births” (46 out of 64) – but significantly better for the increase in jobseekers’ allowance claimants during the recession (33 out of 64).

However Liverpool Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jack Stopforth last night hit back saying: “I just wish people would come up and walk around the city and feel it before they make these pronouncements.

“Yes, we do need to address problems like low productivity and skills rates and it will be tough. But the idea we are still a basket case is just not true any more.”

The report claimed the Liverpool city region had made only a slow start in filling 2,500 posts earmarked from the Government's £1bn “Future Jobs Fund” adding “Many remain unfilled”.

In early December, Mersey councils reported “more than 160” jobs had been filled – listing Arena Services, Create and Village Housing as employers in Knowsley – but they have provided no update since.

Dermot Finch, the think-tank’s chief executive, said: “We face an uneven recovery. Party leaders need to wake up to the reality that some cities will still feel in the middle of a recession until well after the election.

“The next Government needs to help these struggling cities fix the basics – like improving schools and public transport, so they can attract new business and jobs.”