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London is creating jobs at three times the rate of the West Midlands according to new analysis published by the TUC today (Monday).

The analysis shows that between 2010 and 2014 jobs growth in London (11.5 percent) was more than twice as fast as the UK as a whole (5.1 per cent) and three times as fast as the West Midlands (3.7 per cent).

date: 3 July 2015

embargo: 00.01hrs Monday 6 July 2015

London is creating jobs at three times the rate of the West Midlands, says TUC

London is creating jobs at three times the rate of the West Midlands according to new analysis published by the TUC today (Monday).

The analysis shows that between 2010 and 2014 jobs growth in London (11.5 percent) was more than twice as fast as the UK as a whole (5.1 per cent) and three times as fast as the West Midlands (3.7 per cent).

In 2013 economic activity in the West Midlands accounted for 7.2 per cent of the value of the entire UK economy, which is the same as in 2010 but down from 8 per cent in 1997.

In 2014 the West Midlands accounted for 8.4. per cent of UK jobs, down from 8.5 per cet in 2010 and 9 per cent in 1997.

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Lee Barron said:

“We need a recovery that works for the whole of the UK, but cuts to infrastructure and services have hit places that are most in need of investment. We now have an unbalanced recovery that is too concentrated in London, too dependent on families getting into debt, and too focused on jobs in low-paid service industries.

“The West Midlands has great strengths in industries such as manufacturing that can really power growth and quality jobs that will truly rebalance our economy across the country. However, the region wont make the most of this strength and opportunity unless they are supported by investment in skills, infrastructure and decent public services – but the Chancellor’s extreme cuts will mean pulling the plug.

“We need a better economic plan that prioritises balanced growth across all of the UK by targeting investment to communities that are most in need of modern infrastructure and more decent jobs.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Economic growth (GVA) of UK nations and regions relative to London, 2010-2013

Rate of growth %

Growth relative to whole of UK %

Northern Ireland

4.4

49

North West

4.5

51

South West

6

67

Yorkshire & The Humber

6.4

72

North East

7

79

East of England

7.4

83

East Midlands

8

90

Scotland

8.1

91

United Kingdom

8.9

100

Wales

9.5

107

South East

9.8

110

West Midlands

10

112

London

14.5

163

Jobs growth for UK nations and regions, 2010-2014

Increase, 2010-2014

% change

North West

58,000

1.8

Wales

36,000

2.7

North East

33,000

2.9

South West

90,000

3.6

West Midlands

93,000

3.7

South East

189,000

4.5

Northern Ireland

36,000

4.6

United Kingdom

1,461,000

5.1

Yorkshire & The Humber

121,000

5.1

East Midlands

110,000

5.2

Scotland

128,000

5.2

East of England

163,000

5.9

London

440,000

11.5

Source: Office for National Statistics

- Regional and national economic growth comparisons are made using gross value added (GVA), which measures the contribution to the UK economy of its different elements and can be broken down in various ways, including regionally and by industrial sector. More information can be found at http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/economy/national-accounts/gva/index.html

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
 

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1288  M: 07876 452902  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Clare Santry  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: csantry@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson (Mon to Wed)  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Kay Atwal (Thur and Fri)  T: 020 7467 1385  M: 07941 547469  E: katwal@tuc.org.uk

/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/economy/national-accounts/gva/index.html

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
 

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1288  M: 07876 452902  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Clare Santry  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: csantry@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson (Mon to Wed)  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Kay Atwal (Thur and Fri)  T: 020 7467 1385  M: 07941 547469  E: katwal@tuc.org.uk

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