Lancashire at Work

• Lancashire Gross Domestic Produce per head is around 90% of the UK average and 88% of the EU average.

• In terms of employment manufacturing was over-represented in Lancashire compared to the national average. Employment in financial intermediation and other business services was under-represented.

• Exceptionally low levels of both new inward and indigenous investments over recent decades.

• Relatively low rates of new business formation and below average rates of business survival.

• 22% of companies felt that the skills levels in their organisations fell below the required level.

• 21% of Lancashire families were income deprived. In 31 wards more than a third of families were income deprived.

• In October 2002 12,439 people were unemployed in Lancashire. This was a rate of 2.4% compared to the Great Britain rate of 3%. 1,527 people (12%) had been unemployed for a year or more.

• Across Lancashire an average 29% of respondents had undertaken work-related training in the last year. Training rates were lower in East Lancashire than in West Lancashire.

• Across Lancashire 5% of employed people were on non-standard contracts. This was highest in Wyre at 13%.

Would you like to read Chapter 8 - Lancashire at Work (300kb, PDF) of the State of Lancashire report?