Birmingham could lose second city crown
Former trade minister Lord Jones of Birmingham has said Birmingham is in "grave danger" of losing its second city title if universities, transport, skills bases and civic leadership were compared to that of Manchester. He added that the city has "almost the lowest skills base in the country".
"I think when you see the buzz about Manchester, I think a lot of people in Britain would think of it as Manchester, not Birmingham. No matter how much that grieves me," Lord Digby Jones told BBC Radio Five Live.
"From Manchester United, it's Manchester City, it's Oasis, it's Coronation Street. It's all the things which give people this identity and ability to believe in themselves.
"Birmingham has almost always apologised for itself. Birmingham has never had the leg-up that northern cities have had. Government has always thought Birmingham could look after itself."
He added that Birmingham hasn't lost the UK's second city claim, but was "in great danger of doing so".
John Lamb, spokesman for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group, said: "Birmingham is well aware of its skills shortage and is working hard to address the problem. As for Manchester, it is of course riding high at the moment through the success of its football teams and United is a gift that gives the city a global reputation."
