A WIDE-ranging document aimed at redressing the balance between the North-East and the rest of the country is being published today.

Bridging the Gap, compiled by the North-East Assembly, will be presented to chancellor Gordon Brown and every MP in the country.

It argues that the region is progressing at a slower rate than elsewhere, and asks the Government to redirect public spending as well as re-examining regional policies.

The document covers the disproportionate funding allocated to public sector research in the North-East, and asks the Government to bring it up to more than four per cent from its current level of 0.2 per cent.

It outlines the need to increase investment in the transfer of technology and knowledge from colleges and universities to businesses, and suggests a pilot project to encourage lifelong learning and promote enterprise am-ong children. This would replace the Government's controversial Individual Learn- ing Accounts (ILA) scheme, which it was forced to scrap amid allegations of fraud and claims that it was failing to attract the unqualified.

The North-East Assembly cites the creation of a competitive infrastructure as vital to the region's future success, and stresses the need for greater flexibility in it making its own planning policies.

In particular, it requests investment for a light rail scheme in the Tees Valley, the Orpheus extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro and a high-speed Tees Tyne rail connection, as well as improvements to the A1 and A66.

Tony Flynn, chairman of the North-East Assembly, said the document was designed to help rather than criticise.

He said: "This document is a clear outline of what we, as a region, need from the Government to achieve our economic potential."

He said it was deliberately not an attack on the Barnett formula, which is used to calculate regional funding.

The leaflet sets out goals to be achieved through its proposals, including developing a highly skilled population, acquiring excellent premises, transport and communication links, and raising aspirations. It precedes a forthcoming review of regional prod- uctivity, which the Assembly hopes to influence.

Mr Flynn said: "Regionally balanced growth is important for the UK as a whole.