Economic Information
The economic information work of the Unit is guided by the
Cheshire and Warrington Economic Information Partnership (CWEIP),
consisting of representatives from public agencies across Cheshire
and the region.
The work can be categorised into Unemployment, Employment,
Economic Activity
Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance
The Cheshire and Warrington Economic
Alliance is a business-led organisation which brings
together private and public sector representatives from across the
region to develop and implement economic strategies.
The board of the CWEA consists of senior representatives of
business community, national, regional and local government,
Chambers of Commerce, Business Link and Learning Skills Council,
Higher Education and Connexions.
Unemployment
Unemployment information is monitored on a monthly basis.
Information is obtained at Unitary, former county, Travel to Work
Area and former district level.
At quarterly intervals data is obtained about unemployment by
age, sex, duration and local area. This is analysed to produce
trend and local area statistics.
The data is obtained from a variety of sources including NOMIS
(National Online Manpower Information System) and JUVOS (Joint
Unemployment and Vacancy Online System). Additional sources, such
as the Labour Force Survey, are also used. An extensive database is
held which enables comparisons to be made at regional, national and
European Union level.
Employment
Employment trends in terms of numbers and types, together with
location are analysed on an annual basis.
Employment information is obtained from a variety of sources.
The main source is the Annual Business Inquiry. Additional sources
such as the Census of Agriculture are also used.
Forecasts of employment by Industry and Occupation are also
produced for internal
purposes.
Economic Activity
Analysis of trends in economic activity are undertaken by using
a variety of information, such as the Annual Business Inquiry and
VAT registrations data. Additional work is undertaken in monitoring
earnings, household incomes, prices and spending patterns.
Forecasts by the Government, independent bodies and specialists
such as Cambridge Econometrics or the Institute of Employment
Research are used to inform views about local economic prospects.
Most of the sources of information are from Government statistics
which are obtained for the smallest area which is available.
Additional information is bought in from a range of sources.
The Unit's expertise is used to support many strategies and
reviews, especially at regional level or for bidding for funds and
to support a wide range of ad hoc requests.
Much of the output of the Unit is disseminated
through Current Facts and
Figures, Information Points and Libraries.