JOHN Reid has pledged to close the health divide between Manchester and the south east if Labour wins the election.

The health secretary said he would filter far more NHS spending to areas with the worst health records. And he said he stood "shoulder to shoulder" with those who said inequalities between the north and the south remained too great.

"I am arguing for extra money for the most underprivileged areas," he said. "That is precisely why Manchester is not getting an extra five or 10 per cent (health spending) but 30 per cent.

Manchester currently has cancer death rates twice as high as some parts of London and a life expectancy for men that is around five years below the average. Dr Reid was speaking as he launched "Strong economies, strong cities" - a Labour report highlighting the achievements of Britain's 11 major cities outside London.

Achievements

The document described Manchester as one of Europe's "comeback kids", which had recovered from a post-industrial slump to have a cultural economy worth '1bn a year. Achievements listed include the 2002 Commonwealth Games, new buildings like Urbis and the forthcoming BBC relocation.

The report claims unemployment has fallen 54 per cent since 1997, while the number of children getting five good GCSEs is up from 26 to 39 per cent.

Dr Reid said: "We can take pride in our culture of developing learning, education, culture and sport and this is one of our great regional centres. If you had to pick a city that exemplified all of those things you would put Manchester very near the top, if not at the top."

The health secretary was accompanied to the launch, at Selfridges in Manchester's renovated Exchange Square, by education secretary Ruth Kelly.

"Gone are the days of post-industrial decline," said Ms Kelly, who is defending a slender lead in her constituency of Bolton West. "Our message is that if you want investment in education and skills to continue, vote for us."

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