A NEW survey shows that North-West companies are still waiting for the economic boom enjoyed by their counterparts in the south.

Results after 900 firms were quizzed on behalf of Business Pages' Small Business Watch indicated a clear economic divide between the north and south.

Worryingly, 51 per cent of companies in the region considered their local economy to be stagnant or in a state of decline.

Seventyfive per cent said the government had not done enough to encourage skills development and learning.

Fortyeight per cent thought the government was neglecting the North-west.

But John Condron, managing director of Yellow Pages, highlighted the fact that 65 per cent of small businesses across the country were not aware that the government was launching its Small Business Service.