PEOPLE in the North-East are worried about the quality of education and jobs in the region, according to a survey published today.

The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) held a public involvement event at Newcastle United's St James' Park to get people's opinions on employment and education.

Those attending raised concerns about available job opportunities in the North East and the economic disparities between the North and the South, and between Tyneside, Teesside and the former coalfield communities.

Some felt a culture of low expectation dominated certain areas and felt there was a need for public policy to focus on education, vocational skills opportunities and the life chances of young people.

At the end of the event, which was attended by Tony Blair, participants were asked to vote on whether they felt life was better in the North-East since Labour was elected to Government in 1997.

Thirty-four per cent said things had improved, 47 per cent didn't know and 19 per cent felt things were worse.

Thirty-seven per cent wanted to see more jobs and better paid jobs, and 19 per cent wanted more for young people to do.

John Adams, from IPPR, said: "People feel that good job opportunities and good wages are more readily available outside of the North-East.

"People want to stay in the region but feel the opportunities for them to enjoy a good quality of life and access good jobs don't always exist."