A NEW survey has forecast a gloomy outlook for Bradford in the coming 12 months, with the city projected to deliver low growth and employment prospects. 

And there are fears that the recent decision to not build a new station in the city as part of a Northern Powerhouse Rail line between Leeds and Manchester could "deal another blow".

The UK Powerhouse study, produced by Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economics & Business Research, analyses 50 of the largest local economies by employment and gross value added growth. 

The latest report reveals Bradford is expected to be fourth bottom in the Powerhouse league table for growth by the end of 2022.

When looking at employment, just 2,400 more people are projected to be in jobs by the end of next year. 

This puts Bradford in 35th place in the table, with 1.0 per cent year-on-year growth in the jobs market. 

Neighbouring Leeds is expected to see a 2.4 per cent rise in economic output by the end of 2022 and a top five performance in terms of year-on-year employment growth at 2.2 per cent.

Key recommendations to come out of the report include supporting business to upskill, plus the use of new technologies and driving innovation.

The report highlights the rail decision could "hit hard".

Hannah Clipston, partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The UK Powerhouse report presents mixed fortunes for some of our northern cities and while Leeds and York are expected to bounce back in terms of employment prospects, Bradford is projected to see another decline.

“Over the coming year, UK manufacturing output is set to grow 3.5 per cent and hospitality will grow by 35 per cent but the north-south divide clearly remains and the hope that was in Northern Powerhouse and improved rail links could deal another blow to Bradford’s approach to its post-pandemic economic strategy.

“The Council has rightly identified innovation and technology as vital to future success and while Leeds is forging ahead in this area, Bradford still has some way to go to catch up."

But, she added: “Leeds is showing that a strong approach to innovation and a wider appreciation of the value of the digitised economy can yield results and with the plans Bradford has implemented, there is hope that the city can recover from the twin impacts of Brexit and the pandemic.”

Bradford Council has been contacted for comment.