Applications by Merseyside and South Yorkshire for hundreds ofmillions of pounds of extra regional aid from the European Union (EU)will be enhanced by figures showing a drop in relative wealth.
The EU figures show that both regions fell behind the rest of Europe in 1995. Gross domestic product was less than 71% of the EU average.
The poverty of the region means they will be entitled to Objectiveaid from Brussels.
- Financial Times 12/03/98 page 30
