Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

What do we
need to change?
Economic Participation
For information on sources of data
used within the Economic Participation
goal, please see the evidence base,
part 2 section 8 and statistical annex
71
3.6 Economic Participation
Opportunity for all in the sustainable economy
Successful regions seek to maximise the contribution of the whole
population to the economy, and the opportunities for everyone to benefit.
They actively attract and embed new groups, generate wealth within all
communities and respond quickly and positively to change.
Accelerating economic change has had positive effects on many parts
of the region. However, some people have not been able to benefit from
this growth and achieve their full potential because of the barriers they
face. These may include a lack of appropriate skills, knowledge or
confidence; lack of access to business support; having a work-limiting
illness or employer attitudes or practices. These barriers to participation
may particularly affect people in certain geographical locations or in a
certain demographic sector of the population. They have costly
implications for the individuals concerned, for the communities in which
they live and for overall quality of life.
Supporting economic participation is a key driver of productivity. By
overcoming these barriers, the region will be able to: harness the untapped
time, skills and creativity of its people; reduce the costs of benefit claims;
grow its workforce to meet our economic targets and raise the quality of
life for all who live and work in the region.
The regional social strategy provides a full analysis of the nature and
sources of social exclusion and disadvantage in the East of England,
and sets out a strategy for tackling the issues. The regional economic
strategy is not intended to duplicate the regional social strategy, but to
work alongside it by addressing the economic factors identified there as
important causes of disadvantage. Economic Participation tackles the
barriers that inhibit people’s opportunities to participate in the economy
and make the most of their potential.
What will success look like?
• economic activity rates for disadvantaged communities that are higher
than in 2008 and closer to the regional average
• a regional employment rate of 70 per cent for residents aged 16-74
and 80 per cent for working-age residents by 2031
• a reduction in income inequality for those in work, with lower-quartile
earnings at 60 per cent of regional average earnings
• 95 per cent of adults with functional literacy and numeracy (basic skills)
by 2020 and maintained to 2031
• fewer inequalities in skills attainment and health between
disadvantaged communities and the regional average
• business start-up rates in disadvantaged communities that are higher
than in 2008 and closer to the regional average.
Image left: North Suffolk Skills Centre takes an innovative approach to training young people
in vocational skills while still at school, linking them into further education and skilled
employment. It offers courses including mechanics, catering, hairdressing, engineering, health
and social care. In a rural area with low levels of qualifications, the centre is creating economic
opportunities for young people and providing valuable skills for the local economy.