The document, published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, admits London has received an unfair share of cash and calls for a sea change in policy.
It says northern cities should be given more money and freedom over how to spend it.
The report claims the Treasury should invest more in "transport infrastructure" - such as light rail - which would appear to be a boost for the attempt to complete the Metrolink extension.
It also says more consideration should be given to cities when formulating policy in all areas including education and health.
David Miliband, Minister for Local Government, said: "This landmark report shows our cities have made a successful recovery after years of decline.
"Cities have become the engines of growth once again. You only to have to look at Manchester to see the scale of change." Opportunity
The report was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who said: "We must grasp this opportunity to take our cities and regions to the next level and compete with the very best in Europe."
The report, called State of the English Cities, was compiled for Mr Prescott's office by an independent research team led by Liverpool academic Professor Michael Parkinson.
It said Manchester was a "notable exception" to a pattern of southern cities growing faster than their northern counterparts.
Manchester's increase in "gross value added" per head - a key growth indicator - was higher between 1995-2002 than London, Leeds or any major British city.
It means the amount each person in Manchester contributes to the national economy has grown at a higher rate than almost all other places.
The report said British cities had the best chance in more than 100 years to close the gap with their leading European counterparts. To achieve that, it said, Britain needed to follow the continental method of shifting more power and resources from the capital to the regions, letting cities shape their own futures. Tweet
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First off give us the Metro Link that has been promised for the past 15 years that would be a start, then start to invest in the poorer area's of Manchester and try to get more local people into work
This New Labour Government has probably been the most "centralist pro London" Government ever!!
They have actually "held back" Manchester (casinos, athletics stadium, infrastructure etc) so as not to as harm and allow other cities to catch up - whereas London has no such restrictions! And they were very reluctant to finance the Commonwealth Games until they saw the potential damage a bad games could cause to their London 2012 bid.
So now with London 2012 requiring mega public investment, this report is yet more typical New Labour "all talk & no action"!
Nothing will happen, simply because New Labour ministers are too keen to please the national media. And basically the London media chattering classes are "only interested" in bettering London : - a Mayor, the Olympics, Heathrow, the Tube, Crossrail, Wembley, London Cultural Institutions, New London architecture, the Channel Tunnel rail link etc etc. The national media couldn't give a damn about Manchester, Metrolink & the Liverpool Tram system - and because of that neither do this Government!!!
About time but how much notice will the Government take and what will actually be done about it. People in London need to realise that Britain is bigger than just one city and we need to look at other countries where there is not just one city where everything is concentrated. Its time that things were shared out fairly - starting with the Metrolink. The media also need to realise that cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle etc have lots to offer rather than tellings us how wonderful London is all the time! Once the Government and Londoners themselves stop being so London-centric then Britain as a whole will benefit.
" It says northern cities should be given more money and freedom over how to spend it "
NOT AGAIN , they are trying to push devolution .. cant they get the message ... WE ARE NOT INTERESTED.
Devolution equals jobs for the boys ... overpaid cushy jobs at that.
Invest in the poorer areas yes. However tha amount of money invested in areas such as Openshaw/Gorton over the last ten years, which has just been wrecked by yobs and scummy council tenants yet the council do nothing about evicting them - in fact the move more into the area. Why should the government throw more money after bad ?
I visited Manchester recently. On the way into the city, the tall buildings and the sky line looked great! I was really excited about my visit. When we were actually in the city center, my opinion soon changed. A lot of very scruffy people in base ball caps, over priced bars trying to emulate true cosmopolitan establishments which are found in leading European cities. Also, within 4 hours one of my friends was assaulted and I had my mobile phone stolen. Regardless of your nice modern buildings and good shops. A lot of the people spoil it for you who are living there. It has potential, but the people will not let it flourish into a true cosmopolitan destination that is cool to visit.
European, Europe's view is typical of visitors, and spot on.
Flatten the council houses! People who have crap jobs should not be given really cheap housing if all they do it bring crime levels sky rocketing and make the place look un-tidy. Destroy council house trash at the source!!!
Patricia, nice sentiments, well thought out response and a very balanced point of view. This idea would surely cure all the problems with Manchester, I mean, making a few million people homeless is a great idea! Good grief, spare us all from idiotic statements!!!
Fixit and Patricia. May I suggest a compromise here? A small neutron bomb raid will get rid of the trash, while keeping the houses standing. If they do it during the day, the decent people will be at work or school, and will be spared. If anyone considers my idea cruel, ask the authorities why they've not arrested the IRA bombers that decimated the city centre nearly 10 years ago.