Workforce

While total employment is rising in the North East, there is still spare labour market capacity. 

Workplace employment is estimated at 71% in 2004. 
(Source: Experian Business Strategies, National Statistics)

Population: North East of England  2.5 million
Source: ONS Census 2001  
 
Total number employed within the North East of England  999,959
Source: 2002 Annual Business Inquiry

New Graduates available for employment   14,052
Source: NE Universities

GVA (£ millions) 27,729
GVA  per head (£) 11,009
GVA per head indices 76.4%
Source: Regional Trends 2003 12.6 (Data for 2001)

ILO Unemployment statistics  
North East of England  6.0% (72,000)
UK 4.7% (1,387,000)
Source: ONS Labour Market Statistics Oct 2004

The North East has the highest graduate retention rate of 46% - the highest in England outside London (46%)

Government Departments in the North East have benefited from much lower staff turnover than other regions (over half the rate in the South East):

Source: Department for Work & Pensions 2002

Labour costs are much cheaper in the North East - 37% less than London in 2003 – and are expected to remain so:

Source: Experian Business Strategies, New Earnings Survey