Annual statistics suggested a widening economic gap between the regions. London s gross value added per head of population was 36 per cent above the average for the United Kingdom in 2005, while that for Wales was 22 per cent below it.
Source: Regional, Sub-regional and Local Gross Value Added, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Date: 2006-Dec
A survey found that the economic competitiveness of London, the south-east and eastern England had fallen between 2005 and 2006, while competitiveness had improved in the other nine regions. The biggest improvements were in the normally least competitive regions of Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, Wales, and the north-east.
Source: UK Regional Competitiveness Index 2006, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700)
Links: Report | Work Foundation press release | FT report
Date: 2006-Nov
The population in all of the regions of England was projected to increase over the period 2004 to 2029.
Source: 2004-based Subnational Population Projections, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: ONS press release
Date: 2006-Oct
An article presented estimates of regional gross disposable household income at current prices from 1995 to 2004, outlining the components of household income and drawing comparisons across regions.
Source: Eve MacSearraigh, John Marais and Steffi Schuster, 'Regional household income', Economic Trends, August 2006, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article
Date: 2006-Sep
A paper presented evidence from a 28-year panel on net and gross migration for the regions of Britain. Strong labour market conditions, as exemplified by low unemployment rates and high earnings, drew migrants into regions. On the other hand, strong housing market conditions could prevent movement, since expensive housing could deter migrants. But expected capital gains in housing and expected earnings growth could offset high levels of house prices; and migration could also be influenced more directly by the availability of housing relative to population without this being mediated through prices.
Source: Anthony Murphy, John Muellbauer and Gavin Cameron, Housing Market Dynamics and Regional Migration in Britain, Discussion Paper 275, Department of Economics/University of Oxford (01865 271089)
Links: Discussion paper
Date: 2006-Aug
A report presented statistical trends on the main areas of government activity in Scotland.
Source: High Level Summary of Statistics: Key trends for Scotland 2006, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Jun
An annual publication included a wide range of demographic, social, industrial and economic statistics, covering aspects of life in the regions.
Source: Greg Phillpotts and Peggy Causer (eds.), Regional Trends No. 39: 2006 edition, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Report | ONS press release
Date: 2006-May
An article showed the latest estimates of gross value added in the regional economies from 1989 to 2004, and the sub-regional economies from 1995 to 2003. Total GVA increased in all regions, although there was variation in the rate of increase. London had the largest share of total United Kingdom GVA in 2004, with 16.4 per cent; while Northern Ireland had the smallest share, with 2.3 per cent.
Source: John Marais, 'Regional gross value added', Economic Trends, February 2006, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article
Date: 2006-Feb