Workers in Redditch earn 14 per cent less than West Midlands average

In a report, presented by economic development and regeneration manager Jon Elmer to Redditch Borough Council’s executive meeting on Tuesday, January 17, showed that earnings by residence stood at £436.40- £71 lower than the West Midlands figure.

Furthermore, wages by workplace in Redditch for a full-time worker were £42 per week less than the average regional rate.

The skills level in the borough showed that 25.3 per cent of the resident working age population are qualified to NVQ4 level compared to a national rate of 37.1 per cent and that 10.9 per cent of the working age population do not have a qualification, which is above the national rate of 8.6 per cent.

Mr Elmer said that against the backdrop of Brexit and considerable uncertainty for the UK economy, the Redditch economy has proved to be relatively robust.

Figures show that between 2010 and 2015, 3,400 new jobs were created in the private sector in Redditch – an increase of 11.4 per cent from 2014.

Unemployment also remains low, with the town having an out of work rate in October 2016 of just 1.6 per cent- well below the rate for the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership area of 3.3 per cent.

The manufacturing industry continues to be strong in Redditch, supporting over 8,000 jobs and a cluster of high value manufacturing companies with expertise in automotive, aerospace and engineering are located in Redditch.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in 2015 405 new business were set up in the town, and after 12 months the new firms are doing well with a survival rate of 92.4 per cent.

The Borough Council is working with its partners to promote and market Redditch as a place to do business and invest.