E-briefing 22 - October 2007
E-briefing Issue 22: October 2007
Editorial
Hello, and welcome to the October 2007 edition of the Regional Intelligence Unit’s (RIU) e-briefing. The RIU's aim is to improve access to information and intelligence for the region's public and private sectors.
This briefing will highlight recent activities of the NWDA Research Team, latest additions to the Extranet and of data release dates for the coming months.
The Regional Intelligence Unit held the Regional Evidence – Setting the Scene event at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton on 18 September 2007 where 138 partners from across the region attended. The purpose of the event was to formally launch the Office for National Statistics (ONS) regional presence and to give research and data practitioners the opportunity to share knowledge and ideas to feed into the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) 2009 Evidence Base.
The morning was lead by the RIU and presentations were given on the state of the region and an update on the NWDA Research programme which were then followed by breakout groups, highlighting the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the Northwest region. ONS led the afternoon session which focussed on the launch of the ONS regional presence with presentations from the central and regional teams, focusing on their work in the Northwest, with breakout sessions to look at the data needs of research, intelligence and policy development in the region.
The day was well received and feedback indicated that partners would like similar events. With this in mind we are hoping to hold another event in Spring 2008. We would welcome any suggestions of topics you would like to be covered, please submit your ideas to nwriu@nwda.co.uk
Presentations given at the event and other related information are available from the event page.
Kind Regards
Vanessa Smallman, Editor
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NWDA Research Team Update
Research Panel - The research programme has been designed to provide a robust evidence base to underpin the vision set out in the RES. As part of this process the research team have undertaken a series of meetings in order to identify gaps and to provide us with direction on the intelligence needed to improve future decision making. The evidence gathering is designed to move us forward over the next 12 months, and to be a live programme reviewed on a regular basis which will give strategic direction for the next 3 years. It is split into the five themed chapters of the RES; Business, Skills & Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. By setting the programme out in this manner it is easier to focus attention on key areas of productivity to ensure we achieve our objective of high and stable growth.
Research projects that have been commissioned are as follows:-
European benchmarking - Experian Business Strategies have been appointed to deliver this piece of work which is now underway. An inception meeting was held on 12th October where approach, methodology and main requirements were agreed. Main requirements include:-
- an evidence base for the next RES/Integrated Regional Strategy (IRS)
- information to help understand why places have performed differently, particularly where this relates to output/productivity gaps and to polycentricity
- European benchmarks, rather than the standard UK ones
- support to encourage an outward-looking approach to policy-making in the North West
- support for marketing, trade, investment materials
A draft report will be complete by mid December with the aim of publishing a final report by mid January 2008.
Demographics, Migration & Diversity - The NWDA Research Team has appointed Experian to undertake the Demographics, Migration & Diversity project. The study will build a detailed picture of the trends, drivers and implications of demographic change, migration and diversity in the Northwest. The outputs will inform and influence the policy to maximise the benefit and mitigate the threat of trends in the demography and diversity. The core objectives of the research are to:-
- build a comprehensive picture of demographic change in the Northwest, the role of migration in these trends and the implications for diversity in the region
- identify the reasons for, and drivers of, these trends
- assess how demography and diversity will change in the future, incorporating forecasts of migration and demographic change over the next 25 years and a range of alternative future scenarios
- assess the implications of demographic change for the size of the workforce and the potential GVA of the Northwest
- assess the impact of differential employment and pay rates of various groups (such as age, gender, BME, disabled) and the impact that this was on employment and GVA in the Northwest
- consider the implications of these findings for policy makers.
A draft report is expected in time for Christmas with the final report to follow in January 2008
Foresighting - this study will produce a series of futures research papers or think pieces, looking at key areas of the RES and future policy development to stimulate debate and understanding of these issues to enhance the production of economic policy for the NWDA and Region. The slides used in scenario evaluation and topic consultation workshops held over the Summer are now available.
Other NWDA Research Team activities include:-
RES Evidence Base - As part of the evidence base for the next Regional Strategy the Research Team is developing a series of evidence papers. These papers will cover all the factors in the current RES and explore in depth the indicators, data and intelligence available for each factor. It will include any outputs from the Research programme, a SWOT analysis, challenging questions, what is already taking place, what is we don’t do anything, market failures, barriers and opportunities. This will also build upon and develop work we have already started within the team’s internal research programme, covering issues such as housing and sectors.
These papers will be prepared in draft ready for wider consultation through the New Year, with final papers prepared and published in spring, which will build into the development of the next Regional Strategy.
If you wish to get involved, or have evidence you think we may find useful please email us at nwriu@nwda.co.uk
Regional Economic Forecasting Panel - The Northwest Regional Economic Forecasting Panel was set up in 2003 as a service to business and to others concerned with the development of the Northwest as a thriving regional economy. The Panel meets four times a year and annually produces two forecasts looking out over the next three years, which are mainly as a service to business, regular assessments of the state of the regional economy and a third forecast looking forward over a period of 20 years which builds upon these assessments.
The Panel's second short-term business forecast looking at the prospect of economic growth in the region over the next three years will be published during November.
Please click here to access the Panel's previous reports.
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Latest Additions to the RIU Extranet
Spending Review 2007 The outcome of the 2007 Spending Review is set out under the following long term key themes:-
- Transform Public Services
- Deliver sustainable growth and prosperity
- Fairness and opportunity for all
- Sustainable communities
- Protect the environment
The Government is making progress towards achieving its goals and sets out the Governments priorities and spending plans for the years 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010-11. The Research Team has produced a briefing and provided links to related documents.
Revised Population Projections 2004
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released revised population projections for every local authority, county and Government Office Region (GOR) on the 27th September 2007. Long term sub-national population projections are an indication of the future trends in population by age and sex over the next 25 years. They help Government and Government bodies plan for demographic change. The Research Team has produced a summary.
National Insurance registrations by foreign nationals
Reliable data on migration patterns is difficult to come by. National Insurance registrations by foreign nationals are considered to be one reliable measure of migration. On the 15th August 2007, the Department for Work and Pensions released data showing the latest levels of registrations from which the Research Team has produced a summary.
North West Regional Assembly Regional Monitoring Group
This Group was established in April 2007 consisting of representatives from across the region with the Chair and Secretariat function being provided by the North West Regional Assembly and the group meets on a quarterly basis.
The group aims to look at new opportunities for acquiring and sharing information as a result of work undertaken by partner organisations and new indicators which may come to light as part of the monitoring process. The agenda, minutes and presentations from the latest meeting, held on 17 October 2007, are now available.
Regional Trade Statistics Qtr 2 2007
Regional export and import statistics for Qtr 2 2007.
ONS Regional Team for the NW: October 2007 Newsletter
This is the second newsletter from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) regional team for the North West
Tourism Section The tourism section of the website has recently been overhauled with new sections added and updated downloads.
Skills North West - 13-15 November 2007
The biggest ever 'hands on' careers and skills event for the North West, Skills North West is due to take place at the Manchester Central (formally known as GMEX), Manchester on 13, 14 & 15 November 2007. The event is being supported by the Learning and Skills Council.
Parent, carers and families can attend at any time over the three open days (9.30am - 3pm) to ensure that they are informed of the range of career opportunities to help their children make their future choices and a student preview pack is available. You can pre-register to attend by visiting http://www.skillsnw.co.uk/site/5/Register_Yourself.html or just turn up on the day.
ARO Annual Conference (jointly hosted with Economic & Social Research Council)
This event will be jointly hosted with Economic & Social Research Council and is being held in the Hilton Metropole in Brighton on Wednesday December 5th and Thursday December 6th. It will bring together practitioners, researchers and academia to look at the challenges raised for service delivery by the review, and the evidence available to support decisions for policy-makers. Further information is available in the flyer. Register online or view a form to print and return at http://www.regionalobservatories.org.uk/.
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Forthcoming Data Releases
The RIU has produced a calendar containing summaries of important data releases due out over the next two months. Here is the latest data release calendar.
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As part of our on-going aim to improve our communication with members we would like to invite network members to provide us with feedback, please email any comments and recommendations you may have to nwriu@nwda.co.uk or call 01925 400291.
For full contact details of all team members please click here.
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