Practically Realising Prosperity

John Savage CBEBoard Member, SWRDA

Managing Director, GWE Business West

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• Low Carbon Economy

• Successful Businesses

• Prosperous Places

• Leadership and Advocacy

• Better Service

South West RDAOur Priorities

Regional Economic Strategy

Prosperity is……..

• Success• Riches • Wealth• Well-being• Happiness• Good fortune

……ditch GDP as a measure of

national wealth and replace it with

one that quantifies well-being

alongside economic strength.

President Sarkozy – Sept 09

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need

UK Government pledge

To halve child poverty by 2010

To abolish child poverty by 2020

3.8 million children in the UK live in poverty

Our biggest challenge?

In major western economies only Italy and the USA have more poverty than the UK

Poverty reduces social mobility, educational achievement, health and well being. Poverty defines lifestyle choices, drives crime

and creates intolerance, disaffection and insecurity (JRF)

• 20% residents live in areas in most deprived 10% nationally

• 8 out of 10 worst crime areas in Bristol are in the South

• Only 22% of Bristol jobs are in South Bristol

• Knowle West is one of the worst areas nationally for lack of attainment amongst children

South Bristol Facts

• 35% of the population have no qualifications• Average weekly wage of full-time worker: 14%

lower than in north Bristol• Average life expectancy is shorter in South

Bristol than North Bristol (10 years difference)• 19% have long-term limiting illnesses• 19% live in Council Houses, 39% own their own

homes• 30% of households do not have a car

South Bristol Facts