The economic strength of the district is laid bare today in a detailed assessment of how well placed Bradford is to overcome the recession.

The city has the UK’s fourth worst employment rate and the 11th lowest-skilled working-age population, says research charity Centre for Cities.

Its annual report evaluates the financial performance of 64 key cities and argues that Bradford faces a serious challenge.

Some 36.4 per cent of the district’s adult population does not work and 16.4 per cent of the working-age population has no formal qualifications – the 53rd worst of major UK cities.

The average weekly earnings of residents is £421, which is £70 less than the national average.

The report acknowledges that Bradford has had to cope with the 11th fastest population growth in the last decade.

One of the most positive details of the evaluation is that Bradford is one of only three cities where wages have kept pace with the impact of inflation on residents’ spending between 2006 and 2010.

The Government has reduced Bradford Council’s budget by £67.5 million over the next two years. The authors of today’s report believe Bradford will suffer the 50th worst cuts to benefit payments by 2014 as a result.

Councillor Dave Green, the Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said up to 7,500 public sector jobs could be axed in that period.

Asked where a growing band of unemployed people could be expected to find new jobs, he said: “It is a question that is not just facing Bradford. The political imperative from the Government is the private sector will provide the jobs and we must get more private sector investment into Bradford, but the only way to do so is in partnership with the public sector – to invest in infrastructure, business development and education.

“On one hand the Government wants private sector investment but they are taking away the ability of cities like Bradford to attract that investment.”

But he added: “In Bradford we are working on the regeneration of the city centre. We are working hard with partners to bring in private sector investment.”

Council leader Ian Greenwood said: “We recognise Bradford has problems but what this report makes is the assumption that we will continue on the same trajectory as we have for the last few years. We have to develop self-belief in our skills.

“Clearly education is the main issue and the regeneration of the district and the creation of jobs – these are all inter-linked.”

He said the figures could well be disguised by the distinction drawn in the report between Bradford and Leeds, highlighted as having one of the most buoyant economies in the UK.

“If you look beyond the figures in this report you will find many communities in Leeds that are disadvantaged and if you look at the movement between people travelling to work in Bradford and Leeds the movement is the same both ways,” he said.

How Our MPs responded:

Bradford East Liberal Democrat MP David Ward said: “I am very much aware of the huge responsibility we have. I represent one of the most deprived constituencies on the Government side of the Commons.

“Many of the constituencies the Tories represent will not be experiencing the difficulties that will be present in my area. My job is first and foremost to challenge the Government and make them aware of what the changes will mean and impact on in Bradford East.”

Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: “We do need more help than other cities with all the cuts that are happening. David Cameron came to Bradford for his first cabinet meeting and said he would help but all we have seen are cuts.”

Bradford West Labour MP Marsha Singh said: “I do not think anyone thought Bradford would come out of this well. We were hammered in the last recession under Thatcher and we are now being hammered under David Cameron. Areas like Bradford need additional help to pull through but things are not good with all our cuts to our council funding.”

Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies said: “It sums up the challenges we are going to face across the district compared to the rest of the country. I would also say I thought that organisations like Yorkshire Forward were meant to create jobs and businesses and we threw so much money at them but not much happened.

“All the things the previous Government were doing was a waste of money. The best way to encourage new business is by reducing tax and regulations rather than throwing public money into something.”

Keighley Tory MP Kris Hopkins did not want to comment.