Creating jobs

While sentiment in manufacturing is stronger than for over a decade, there is some hesitation among economists about its effect on employment. In the case of Bristol, Oxford Economics expects employment to be negative for 2010 and 2011, mainly because of the loss of public sector jobs.

The argument is that the service sector is not picking up fast enough to help with employing people who have been made redundant by the government. Oxford Economics looks for a solution in expanded consumer spending and investment.

This might be too gloomy a picture for a region like the South West where a combination of high technology companies, top educational establishments and good environment bring their own impact on the economy.