One in five jobs in Britain will be displaced by 2030 as a result of automation, deepening economic and political divisions across the country, a new report claims.

Around 3.6 million jobs will be taken over by robots and artificial intelligence – with northern and Midlands cities more exposed to job losses than cities in the south.

A report published by the think tank Centre for Cities claims that retail occupations, customer service roles and warehouse jobs are among those most at threat, and national and local leaders "should act now to prepare people and places for the changes ahead".

The report found that cities in the north and in the Midlands are more at risk of job losses, where around 23pc of jobs are under threat, compared to wealthier cities in the south where 18pc of jobs are in jeopardy.

The report raises concerns that automation will magnify the political dissatisfaction and divisions highlighted by the outcome of the EU referendum in 2016 – with many of the cities most at risk of losing jobs also among those which voted most strongly for Brexit.