'Weak' Bay facing slow recovery from recession
TORBAY has suffered more in the recession than anywhere else in the South West, according to the region's regeneration chief.
And the experts say Torbay was weaker going into the recession and now has a worse chance of recovery.
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Jane Henderson (pictured), chief executive of the South West Regional Development Agency, says only Swindon has been hit as hard during the economic downturn.
But she added that Swindon now stands a better chance of recovering through the private sector.
The RDA's chief economist Nigel Jump pointed out that Torbay had been weak going into the recession, and warned its recovery would be slower because of 'underlying structural weaknesses' in the local economy.
Ms Henderson made her comments while giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into future prospects for the South West economy.
The hearings held by the Commons South West Committee follow its work into the impact of the economic downturn on the South West and the Government's response.
The latest economic review by the RDA shows that Torbay has the highest unemployment rate in the region and above the UK average.
Responding to a question over where civil service jobs should be located if they were moved out of London, she said the agency would look at 'where jobs have been taking a hit'.
Ms Henderson told MPs on the committee: "Clearly, Torbay has suffered greatly during the recession, as has Swindon, but Swindon has a better chance of recovering through the private sector."
Mr Jump told the Herald Express: "Both Torbay and Swindon have the highest unemployment rates in the region. Torbay had one of the highest rates before the recession as well."
But Swindon had 'underlying strengths'.
"Whereas Torbay, as one of the weaker points before the recession, has been hurt by recession and will come out slower because of the underlying structural weaknesses in the local economy," he said.
4 Comments
by Mark Doidge, Torquay
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 8:03PM
“Quite an interesting range of comments. Bay Taxpayer externalises the problem and suggests that the RDA solves the problem. Meanwhile Willie dismisses Ms Henderson's assertions that Swindon is better placed to recover. Furthermore he suggests that Torbay's failure is down to a Council without a vision of the future, despite the Mayor's vision and a number of projects from individuals and the Torbay Development Agency.
Loon correctly highlights the geographical and economic problems affecting Torbay, and that we need to diversify.
The British economy has changed to a service economy and Torbay needs services. These will benefit locals and visitors alike.
Rather than externalising the problems and blaming politicians we should be asking how we can fix it as well. We need to provide support to individuals who are trying to change the economy and the TDA's projects that are based on grounded research and analysis of our competitors. We need to turn the vicious circle of negativity, economic depression and resistance to change, into a virtuous circle of positivity, service economy and potential future.”
by Willie, Torbay
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 4:02PM
“Sorry Ms Henderson but to me and my eyes you have got it all wrong.
I was in Swindon last week and I tell you the place was alive and buzzing, especially around the Honda Plant and Vodaphone, money was being spent in the in the Great Western Shopping Cente as though it was going out of fashion, it may come as shock Ms Henderson but Swindon is idealy situated as Loon says, right on the M4, the road are adequate to cope with traffic and they are building new factories and units there, it has a fantastic catchment area for North Wiltshire. And the bonus is they have done away with speed cameras and reduced the traffic wardens...it is bliss for a motorist. And they are building dwelling houses there.
What has Torquay got ...no future, no one will invest, no manufacturer will even look at the place, the town is a disgrace, filthy with empty shops. A COUNCIL THAT HAS NO EYE FOR THE FUTURE JUST PURE FANTASY....oh it has got Mr Bye and Mr Lewis, the 'blinded by the light' visionaries.
Open your eyes Ms Henderson and look or have you not been to Specsavers to have your sight tested.”
by Loon, Torbay
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 2:49PM
“Swindon has the following advantages; 1) It is on the M4 corridor, between Bristol, Birmingham and London. 2) Rates of pay are far better in Swindon, meaning that it is more likely to attract quality staff and therefore quality employers. Torbay on the other hand is the minimum wage capital of the UK - employers won't come here because they assume that anyone prepared to work for the salaries on offer down here aren't worth employing. Also, the economy here needs to diversify, and not rely soley on tourism.”
by Bay Taxpayer, Torquay
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 11:49AM
“Instead of telling us something we all know, how we are on the bottom rung of the ladder, what is Ms Henderson going to DO about our plight? Or is she happy to take her massive quango salary, sit on her hands, and merely pronounce about things.
Come on Ms Henderson, this is what your taxpayer-funded salary is for: solutions, not just words.”