NWDA research papers encourage debate on region’s future
A series of more than 20 research papers have been published for consultation by the North West Development Agency as it prepares to draw up its next regional economic strategy.
Covering topics from land use and skills to leadership and health, the NWDA said the "papers are intended to begin the processes of raising questions, developing the debate on issues and highlighting the challenges facing the region."
The economic performance paper shows the North West is still lagging behind the rest of the country and punching below its weight. GVA per capita in 2006 – the last year for which figures were available – was 15% below the England average. The North West is behind only London and the South East in terms of population and size of economy – 6.9m people and an annual turnover of £111bn – but is seventh out of nine English regions in economic performance.
Growth from 2002 to 2006 averaged 4.4% a year in the North West, compared to an England average of 4.7%.
The papers were produced by the NWDA's Regional Intelligence Unit and each provides an introduction to the topic and an overview of the evidence base.
- Further information surrounding these papers is now available via the RIU Extranet site where the evidence papers themselves can be downloaded. The papers will be available for consultation until Monday 15 September 2008.
