DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been accused of ducking an opportunity to defend the Coalition Government's record - amid claims it is "anti-Northern".

Mr Clegg was due to speak at a conference in Newcastle today organised by the left-leaning think tank IPPR North, which will discuss efforts to "rebalance" the economy and progress towards economic and social recovery in the region.

But the Liberal Democrats leader, who is also MP for Sheffield Hallam, subsequently withdrew from the event, citing unforeseen commitments and his place has been taken by Andrew Stunell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the Northern TUC, who is also among the speakers, said he had wanted to challenge Mr Clegg about the Government's record in the region and what he described as the "innately flawed basis" for "savage and unnecessary" spending cuts.

He said: "Forget the hollow government rhetoric about being 'all in this together'.

"You only have to look at the very telling figures to see that this is a profoundly anti-Northern Government.

"The cuts are only just beginning to bite but we already know they will be far, far deeper in the North-East than in the South of England.

"That is a deliberate act by Ministers who have taken decision after decision which disproportionately hit Northern communities and economies the hardest.

"It is little wonder the Deputy Prime Minister cannot bring himself to come to Newcastle and justify what the Conservative-led Government is doing."

A spokesman for the Deputy Prime Minister said he had to pull out of the event due to urgent Government business.

He said: "He [Mr Clegg] hopes to return to the North-East soon, as he has greatly enjoyed his recent visits to Newcastle and Teesside.

"It is ludicrous to suggest that the Government is biased against the North.

"The Deputy Prime Minister's message has been clear and consistent: as we work to reduce the deficit, it is just as important to rebalance the economy, to reduce reliance on London and the South-East, giving every region a fair share in our future prosperity."

Tim Finch, director of communications at IPPR, said it had been "disappointed" by Mr Clegg's withdrawal, but took the decision at face value.