BCB EXCLUSIVE Cabinet in Bradford - IDS Speaks to BCB

Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, has told Bradford Community Broadcasting that Bradford is "very dear to his heart", as members of the cabinet visit the city in a bid to prove the governement isn't "London-centric".


He's insisted there shouldn't be a north-south divide in the country's economy and says the reality is that there are many prosperous cities in the north which are surrounded by poorer areas - and that Bradford was chosen as host city today as it's a good example of the issue.


He said: "I cut my political teeth here in Bradford...so I'm one of those who says Bradford really must have a future and it's time we made certain that places like Bradford can share some of the prosperity that comes from places like Leeds."

He has also defended plans to raise the state pension age of men to 66, saying it will increase economic activity, ultimately creating more work for jobless youths in the city.

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