Partnership Conference on Employment Tackling Inequalities Partnership Conference

Partnership Conference on Employment “Tackling Inequalities”

Partnership Conference on Employment “Tackling Inequalities” Councillor Mark Macmillan Leader of Renfrewshire Council

Renfrewshire’s Economy David Martin Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Council

Invest in Renfrewshire is a commitment between Renfrewshire Council and the area’s business community to reduce youth unemployment and grow the local economy.

Renfrewshire's Working Age Population All people in Renfrewshire 174, 300 All Working Age (16 -64) 113, 300 ◦ Economically Active 86, 600 Of which: ◦ In Employment (total) 80, 600 ◦ In Employment (employees) 71, 300 ◦ In Employment (self employed) 8, 400 ◦ Unemployed and looking for work 7, 000 ◦ Economically Inactive Of which: ◦ Wants a job 25, 100 5, 700 Renfrewshire % Scotland % 77. 2 77. 0 71. 7 63. 9 7. 1 8. 0 71. 0 62. 7 7. 6 7. 7

Looking back to pre-recession figures. . . how have we fared?

% of people in employment All People in Employment, Renfrewshire

In Employment – made up of “employees” and “selfemployed” The rise in employment in Renfrewshire is primarily due to the increase in those securing work as employees Self employment rates are still lower in Renfrewshire but this has significantly improved over the last year.

% of people who are self employed All people In employment (Self employed) Renfrewshire

% of people who are unemployed All people (unemployed), Renfrewshire

How has our position changed over the last 2 years?

Over the last two years: % of young people unemployed Youth (18 -24) Unemployment rate drops from 10. 4% to 5. 8% June 2012: 10. 4% Renfrewshire ranked 26 th out of 32 local authorities for youth unemployment. June 2013: 8. 6% Renfrewshire ranked 23 rd out of 32 June 2014: 5. 8% Renfrewshire ranked 19 th out of 32

Adult unemployment over the last two years Adult (25 – 49) unemployment rate drops from 5. 4% to 3. 7%: Renfrewshire previously 1. 3% higher than national average, now 0. 9% higher Renfrewshire's “ranking” moves from 26 th to 23 rd in Scotland for adult unemployment Adult (50+) unemployment rate drops from 2. 6% to 2. 2% The gap between the Renfrewshire and national figures has not changed : still 0. 5% higher Renfrewshire's “ranking” has improved slightly from 26 th to 25 th in Scotland for older adult 50 + unemployment

All very positive news. However. .

DWP benefit claimants Number of claimants in Ferguslie and Renfrewshire Ferguslie % Renfrewshire % Total 995 34. 7 % 17. 2 % Job seekers 230 8. 0 % 3. 8 % ESA + incapacity 470 16. 4 % 8. 7 % Lone parents 125 4. 4 % 1. 2 % Carers 90 3. 1 % 1. 3 % Other income related benefit 10 0. 3 % Disabled 60 2. 1 % 1. 5 % Bereaved 10 0. 3 % October 2013 figures

Over the last two years: % unemployed Total JSA Claimants in Renfrewshire and Ferguslie

Other Priority Groups with lower employment prospects Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce: Care Leavers ◦ (In 2013 1 in 3 were unemployed 9 months after leaving school) Black and Ethnic Minority Groups ◦ (In 2012/13 less than 2% of MA starts were from nonwhite BME groups) People with a disability ◦ (In 2012 only 41. 3% were employed)

New Developments

Glasgow City Deal A range of infrastructure projects capable of generating significant economic benefit for the Glasgow City Region. Projects under consideration in Renfrewshire include: a. Glasgow Airport Investment Zone b. Clyde Waterfront / Renfrew North c. Glasgow airport rail link A programme to improve employment is also under consideration tackling: - health and unemployment - youth unemployment - In Work Progression

Town Centre Developments Paisley Town Centre: Johnstone Town Centre § Heritage Regeneration Strategy § Arnotts development § Westpoint Homes § Russell Institute § New Town Hall and civic hub Braehead § £ 200 million investment that will create 5, 000 jobs

Growth in Retail ROF Bishopton ◦ 40, 000 sqft retail store at the centre of the emerging Dargavel Village Tesco Linwood ◦ over 250 new jobs Renfrew Road Retail Park ◦ 150 - 200 new jobs Retail Improvement Scheme ◦ Over 60 Shops supported across Renfrewshire

Simplified Planning Zone at Hillington Industrial Park Encourage investment No impediments to business growth or inward investment