Welcome to the South East region!
Projects in this region are indicated by a ‘Tick’ symbol on the Google map above. Click on the icon to see the name and a brief description of the project. The map’s regions are sourced from 1998 Government Office Regions of England, as produced by the Office of National Statistics Mapping Unit in 2003.
| Facts and figures | ||
|---|---|---|
| South East | UK | |
| Population | 8.2m | 60.5m |
| Productivity (GVA per hour worked) | 98.5 | 100 |
| Employment rate as % of working population (GVA per hour worked) | 77 | 74.4 |
| Skills levels: % of economically active adults qualified to L4 | 27.6 | 31.1 |
| Enterprise: no. of VAT start ups / 10K population | 39 | 37 |
Regional focus
The South East is one of the UK's most successful and prosperous regions. It has experienced significant economic growth in the past decade, with the annual rate of growth in employment outpacing the national average. This is due to the highly skilled workforce, and sustained growth in employment rates for both men and women. Employment and activity rates are amongst the highest in the country, unemployment is low, and there are relatively high vacancy levels. The South East economy has become increasingly service-sector dominated, and these jobs now account for 80% of employment. Although manufacturing businesses account for a smaller proportion of output and employment, the sector remains important and has contributed to the region’s high performance.
Worklessness
There is a significant pool of individuals from certain groups with the potential to be reconnected with the labour market. Re-engaging them will help to relieve the labour market constraints experienced across much of the region. There is also a marked intra-regional variation in unemployment and economic activity rates between the inner, rural and coastal fringe areas of the South East.
Skills
The South East has a relatively well qualified workforce, but this masks significant intra-regional variations. Skills gaps are reported at all levels and the biggest gaps are found in occupations requiring the lowest level of skills. The South East has the highest proportion of people employed in knowledge-based sectors, many of them graduates.
Enterprise
The South East has a relatively strong enterprise base. Self-employment is well above the national average, and the region is highly dependent on small enterprises. This presents particular challenges since owner-managers and small companies are less likely to engage in education and training.
Improving recruitment and retention practice, flexible working and sustained employment
Berkshire LSC led the Tick Tock partnership, which focused on ways of improving the recruitment, retention, flexible working and sustained employment of older people. The executive summary brings the key findings together in one document.
NEET Integrated tailored programmes, including vocational training and preventative work
The What Makes The Difference project aimed to influence national policy and practice by re-engineering the education, training and employment support processes for those in, and leaving, public care (15-24+ years).
