Wirral "at risk" from public sector job cuts

By Liam Murphy on Oct 5, 10 11:49 AM

WIRRAL has been named as one of three areas expected to be worst hit in the country by looming cuts in public sector jobs.

The borough is ranked third most likely to suffer based on analysis of the area's economy and the dependence on how many businesses are vulnerable, levels of insolvency, self-employment, and numbers of exporters.

In an article "Public sector axe falls heavily on the frail" the FT highlights what it sees as the borough's weaknesses in the face of the anticipated cuts in public spending.

Researchers for the Financial Times ranked areas in terms of "economic resilience" and then combined with information on how much each area depends on public sector jobs. Middlesborough was rated the weakest, followed by Plymouth then Wirral.

But Wirral Council's interim director of corporate services, Kevin Adderley, said he questioned the assumptions based on the data from business information company Experian.

He said although Wirral has the lowest Gross Value Added (a statistical measure of the contribution to the economy of each individual producer, industry or sector) the council is working hard to help Wirral businesses and attract new investment.

Mr Adderley said Wirral has helped create or sustain 1,500 jobs since the recession, not including the 244 just announced by The Contact Company, along with more than helping create 200 apprenticeships.

The borough also has higher than average vocational and educational attainment - more people with degrees than the North West and England average, and unemployment in Wirral has come down faster in last 12 months that rest of North West.

He also pointed to the success of Wirral-based companies such as Unilever and Bristol-Myers Squibb and said: "We have organisations which are at the forefront of cutting edge research. We have businesses in Wirral that are world leaders, not just in the local economy."

In a determined defence of the borough, Mr Adderley said Cammell Laird is currently well-placed to bid for work on the planned off-shore windfarm in the Irish Sea which could create thousands of jobs.

He said: "Cammell Laird is not just a ship-builder and repairer, it's a world famous company with a highly skilled workforce."

However Mr Adderley added: "It is a bit of a concern that someone reading this in London or somewhere might think they don't like the sound of it. But when people find out about Wirral, and even better come and see it, they realise it's an area that although it faces some challenges also has huge potential."

Council leader Jeff Green pointed to the work at New Brighton and signs of investor confidence in Wirral Waters, and said: "After 13 years of a Labour government the area still faces major challenges, but we're going to work with our colleagues in the public and private sectors to meet those challenges."

Cllr Green said: "We will be looking to see where we can improve and working to ensure we become one of the best areas for the private sector to come and invest."