Monthly County Economic Summary

Each month the R&I unit produce the County Economic Summary which looks at the following:

• National Economic News
• Local Economic News
• Specialist Economic articles
• Unemployment figures and graphs
• Ward level unemployment data

When interpreting the figures please read the important information. Click to view the Specialist Economic articles from the last 12 months.

Unemployment Statistics: July 2008

Click here to view the latest Economic News and Articles  (198.41 KB)

Click here to view the latest Unemployment Figures and Graphs  (106.85 KB)

To view previous publications please click on the links below:

• June 08
• May 08
• April 08
• March 08
• February 08
• January 08
• December 07
• November 07
• October 07
• September 07
• August 07
• July 07

Important Information

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is now publishing data for 2001 Census wards. This was a welcome change since 2001 Census wards take into account the boundary changes of 1995 which resulted in parts of Bromsgrove being transferred from Worcestershire to Birmingham.

Unfortunately National Statistics are continuing to use 1991 census wards as the basis building blocks to calculate figures for higher geographies. This means that ONS figures for Bromsgrove and Worcestershire are still based on boundaries pre 1995. The result of this is that ONS-produced claimant count figures for Bromsgrove and Worcestershire are higher than the corresponding figures built up from the 2001 Census wards.

Although we recommend users cite the claimant count totals based on the 2001 Census wards since they are based on up to date boundaries, we recognise that ONS figures are often cited in other documents and that users require consistent data series to make comparisons over time. Consequently, we have decided to provide figures based on the 2001 Census wards, and figures provided by ONS. In Tables 1 and 2 the figures for the districts and Worcestershire are built up from the 2001 Census wards. Tables 5 and 6 are based on ONS produced figures which are built up from 1991 Census wards, and as a result the figures for Bromsgrove and Worcestershire are higher.

The rates cited in Table 1 and 2 are calculated using 2001 Census projections of the economically active population as we feel this is a more appropriate base to calculate a claimant count rate. These figures are not comparable with ONS produced rates cited in Tables 5 and 6 as these are derived from the working age population resident in that area. Since Census does not provide data for the United Kingdom the national figure used in Table 2 is for England and Wales.

If you have any questions contact Phillipa McDonald, Research Officer on 01905 822022 or e-mail: pmcdonald3@worcestershire.gov.uk