Page 134 - Minutes of meeting

The Labour Market Challenge

Economic Activity

Of Barrow’s 28,400 economically active residents, 21,000 (74%) are located in the Town Deal area. Labour market participation
in the Town Deal area is significantly lower than comparator geographies, despite the presence of strong economic opportunities.

▪ Economic activity and employment rates are c.13 percentage points low than the national average in Barrow

▪ Unemployment rates are above average, at 6.2% Labour market participation, 2019
compared to 4% in England. Moreover, The DWP
‘Alternative Claimant Count’ identifies 1,276 BTD Area Barrow Cumbria England
claimants in Barrow in November 2019, taking into
account change to unemployment benefit and the No. % No. % % %
roll-out of Universal Credit. With a youth claimant Economic

rate of 5.5% in 2018 relative to 3.5% in Cumbria, Activity Rate 21,000 66.2% 28,400 71.4% 81.2% 79.1%
youth unemployment is a concern in Barrow*. (16-64)

▪ The proportion of 18-24 year olds in full time Employment 19,700 62% 27,100 68.1% 79.4% 75.9%

education in Barrow is half that of the national Rate (16-64)
figure, illustrative of below average participation in
higher education. Unemployment 1,300 6.2% 1,300 4.6% 2.2% 4%
Rate

▪ The number of jobs in Barrow per resident aged
16-64 is 0.8, which is lower than both Cumbria’s 18-24 Year Olds
(0.93) and England’s (0.87) job density. Thus, in Full Time 1,300 18.6% 1,300 16.2% 24.1% 32.6%
whilst there is a healthy level of labour demand in Education

Barrow, there is still scope for improvement.
Job Density - - 33,000 0.8 0.93 0.87

* Total jobs includes employees, self-
Source: Annual Population Survey, 2019; ONS Job Density, 2018; DWP Alternative Claimant Count (November 2019); employed, government supported
*People, Employment & Skills Strategy Group: Evidence Base, CLEP, 2019 trainees and HM Forces