The city has been named in the top 15 most improved cities for increasing competitiveness. And the annual UK Competitiveness Index for 2008, which ranks 407 areas for what they offer businesses and entrepreneurs, showed a resurgence of northern cities.

Wakefield, which came 12th in the list, was one of two Yorkshire cities in the top 15, the other of which was York.

The survey, which was carried out by the Centre for International Competitiveness at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff, showed that cities which successfully attracted businesses had improved the qualifications of school leavers and helped unemployed people get back to work.

Wakefield Council leader Coun Peter Box said: “This is excellent news. One of our strategic priorities is skills, work and enterprise and this is now bringing results. This national recognition will boost prospects for business across the district.”

The news builds on Wakefield’s status as Britain’s Best ‘second-tier’ city for business in 2006 according to the OMIS Research Britain’s Best Cities Survey.

Mohan de Silva, chief executive of Wakefield district development agency first said: “We know already from our success in attracting some major investors that Wakefield has a competitive package to offer business, but this is still an excellent result that confirms the progress we are making. Our improving educational standards, land and property portfolio, transport links, workforce and business environment have rightly been recognised for their growing quality. Employers and investors of the calibre of Warburtons, Minster Law, Netto, the Open College Network and The Highways Agency are proof of this.

“Perceptions of the city and district are changing regionally and nationally, and this is a strong endorsement for Wakefield that can help first and its partners’ ongoing drive to attract further investment to the district.”