Bulletin will keep people updated on economic performance
Last updated | 24/07/2008
A new Perth and Kinross Economic e–Bulletin is to regularly update the public on the economic performance of Perth and Kinross.
The Bulletin, produced by the Council’s Economic Development Service, will be published on the Council’s website www.perthshire.com quarterly.
At the beginning of each issue there will be a brief summary of the overall economic performance of Perth and Kinross.
Each bulletin will focus on a key area, with the first issue focusing on employment. Economic news will also be featured, looking at what is affecting the local area.
The August issue says that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the area has shown a 2% growth on last year, and people in employment increased for the third year running.
Vocational qualifications increased by 5% in 2007/8, and the number of new businesses increased by 6%.
The Bulletin reveals that the working age population of Perth and Kinross has been growing steadily for the past 10 years. Since 1990 the unemployment rate has been below the national average, and in June stood at 1.2%. Over the past year the amount of people claiming benefits dropped by 4.4%.
Examining the tourism sector, the Bulletin says tourism numbers are up 5% overall for 2007 against 2006, and tourism revenues were £416.5m for 2007 – an increase of 17.5% on 2005.
There are now in excess of 10,000 full-time tourism posts in Perth and Kinross – an increase of 9% on 2006.
However, the Bulletin adds that tourism growth remains a big challenge in the context of the present economic climate and an increasing choice of destinations for consumers.
The full Bulletin can be viewed at www.perthshire.com from Friday 1 August.
