Latest Edition: Economic Profile Issue 8: South West Places, October 2009
This publication is designed to enhance our understanding of the region’s economy, picking up on themes that will shape its future as well as monitoring progress to date. The last profile focussed on the recession. This one considers the underlying structure of the economy, giving us an idea of how well the sub-regions are positioned to benefit from the recovery when it comes. It concentrates on several important sub-regions within South West England including Bristol, Plymouth and Cornwall. The other sub-regions are represented as ‘more competitive’ and ‘less competitive’ areas.
Highlights from this issue include:
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Bristol has been badly affected by the recession. However, it remains relatively well placed to respond when a recovery comes.
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In contrast, given its long term weaknesses, the risk is that Plymouth will not recover as quickly as other centres as markets improve.
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Cornwall has fared better than others on some measures. This is largely because it does not have the concentration in manufacturing and financial and business services that have been badly hit elsewhere. Also, it has been helped by a relatively buoyant visitor economy.
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The ‘more competitive’ parts of the region generally have a solid foundation of infrastructure, technology and skills that mean their businesses are be better placed to benefit from any eventual upturn.
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The ‘less competitive’ places have been comparatively immune to the recession – does this also mean a comparative immunity from recovery?
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Previous SWREP
SWREP- Recession Special Issue 7, April 2009 SWREP- Issue 6, 2008 SWREP- Issue 5, 2008
SWREP- Issue 4, 2007
SWREP- Issue 3, 2007
SWREP- Issue 2, 2006
SWREP- Issue 1, 2006
