This project is co-financed by the LSC, SEEDA and the European Social Fund
REGIONAL
ECONOMY/LABOUR MARKET
CLAIMANT COUNT UNEMPLOYMENT
Claimant count unemployment (as a proportion of the working age population)
in the South East is comparatively low. Nationally, only the South West
has a lower rate. Click
here for more information
According to the Office of National Statistics, VAT registrations are
the best official guide to the pattern of business start-ups and closures
across the UK and in each industry – although they cannot give
a complete picture of the activity across the economy. In 2004 (relating
to the latest statistics) the VAT registration threshold was an annual
turnover of £56,000.
The stock of VAT registered businesses in the South East Region totalled
287,175 at the end of 2004 (latest data). The South East has a higher
stock than any other region in the country including London (the latter
having just over 250,000 registered businesses) (ONS NOMIS).
In the South East, over three quarters (78%) of those of working age
who are in employment are working in some form of service industry. This
compares to the national average of 76% (Data from ONS, Annual Population
Survey April 04-Mar 05 [latest data]).
Click here for graphs and more comment
NOMIS has announced Errors have been identified in the 2005 estimates
of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. This dataset has now been
withdrawn. Advisers are encouraged to use 2004 data.
The SE region commands higher than national average earnings (overall,
male and female full time gross weekly earnings). Cost of living in the
South East is also higher.
Click onto website for earnings data and charts
In the SE as a whole, a higher proportion of vacancies in administrative
occupations and sales occupations were notified to Jobcentre Plus compared
to Great Britain overall. 18% of all notified jobs in the SE were in
Sales. Click
here for more detail
Summary of vacancies: In November 2005, Jobcentre Plus has a total of
25,532 notified vacancies in the South East. (ONS, 2005).
Two thirds of the jobs are full time with the remaining third part-time
opportunities. The vast majority of notified vacancies are standard vacancies
(leading to employment rather than self-employment). Time series analysis
is not possible due to changes in the way Jobcentre Plus processes vacancies.
A recent study by research firm Experian has indicated that Berkshire
, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire will become the most successful economic
areas in Europe over the next 5 years. Forecasts suggest that the economy
of the 3 counties will grow by 4% a year, which is double the average
for the European Union. Economists point towards the presence of large
clusters of high-technology companies as being the major factor in this
growth.
(Oxford Times)
