In delivering the annual Lunar Society lecture, Lord Adonis reminded us of some timely, but highly uncomfortable, facts about the state of Birmingham in 2011.

His wide ranging examination of the city’s many problems – above average unemployment, low workforce skills, under-achieving schools, deprivation, poor public transport – cut a stark contrast to attempts by the city council and business leaders to promote Birmingham as a leading global city.

Clearly, no one would expect the council to concentrate on doom and gloom week after week. There is a matter of honesty about the challenging social and economic plight we find ourselves in, but it will do no good to wallow in self pity by talking Birmingham down unfairly.

Having said that, Lord Adonis bleakly rehearsed the issues that appear to have defeated this city’s political leaders in recent years, with neither the Labour administration in power from the mid-1980s to 2004, or today’s Tory-Lib Dem coalition, being able to make much headway where it matters.

Birmingham is at the top or close to the top of several league tables. Sadly, these are leagues denoting serial under-achievement.

Inner city unemployment is among the highest in the country, a fifth of the city’s residents have low skills, infant mortality is twice the national average, and the UK’s second largest city can only creep in at 89th place as far as income per head for cities across the world is concerned.