BRIGHTON is at a “very real risk” of sustained economic damage because of coronavirus, it has been claimed.

A report warned that the economic fallout of the coronavirus could lead to a “levelling down” of many places in the South East of England.

An annual study of the UK’s major urban areas by Centre for Cities said Brighton’s unemployment rate needed to fall by 3.9 per cent in order to rebuild its economy.

In the largest cities and towns in the South East, the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits has increased by 3.5 per cent, overtaking the national average of 3.3 per cent.

Brighton was third out of 11 cities and towns in the region with Worthing in eighth.

Crawley ranked second with unemployment related benefit claims increasing by 5.5 per cent.

Centre for Cities chief executive Andrew Carter said: “At the last election the government pledged to level up the North and Midlands, but now there is a very real risk that previously prosperous cities and towns in the South East could be levelled down – at least in the short-term.

“This will have damaging consequences for the whole country, which depends on places in the South East to create jobs and fund public services.

“Stopping the South East’s levelling down and helping the North and Midlands recover will not be cheap and will require more than short-term handouts.

“Government support and investment for new businesses in emerging industries will be essential, as will spending on further education to train people to do the good-quality jobs created.”

Centre for Cities wants the government to put local authorities on a “strong economic footing” by maintaining the £20 rise in universal credit and supporting jobless people in finding work.

It also urged the government to consider a new Eat Out to Help Out scheme for hospitality and to introduce a voucher scheme to help the high street.

When the crisis is over, the think tank says the government will need to spend on further education, improving transport infrastructure and making city centres better places for businesses to relocate.