North East

Home and Communities team takes shape

The Homes and Communities Agency – the national agency for housing and regeneration – has appointed its new strategy and information team for the North East. Based at the HCA’s Gateshead office, the team will play a key role in developing the evidence base to underpin the agency’s Single Conversation process and local investment plans. Overseen by Tom Warburton, Head of Strategy, Programme and Performance, the team will also work closely with One North East and ANEC in support of the new regional strategy.

Strategy and Information Manager Karen Anderson, who has joined the team from housing market renewal pathfinder Bridging NewcastleGateshead, will be working alongside Strategy Coordinator Dermot Sellars and Senior Information Officer Jeremy Thomas.

To find out more about the team’s work, contact Karen on 0191 497 7642.

County Durham economic assessment

Throughout the North East colleagues are beavering away developing and synthesising evidence to meet the needs of the Regional Strategy and Local Economic Assessments. Here is a short paper outlining the work taking place in County Durham.

BIS Economics and Social Research Strategy

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has published an overview of economic and social research, which provides an overall picture of the Department's research and aims to identify gaps.

2011 Census Output Consultation

The Office for National Statistics is consulting on the outputs to be generated from the 2011 census. The consultation includes, for the first time, consideration of Upper Super Output Areas. This is of particular interest to colleagues in Durham and Northumberland, where the data relating to the former district council areas is being progressively withdrawn by Government.

Quarterly Labour Market Snapshot

The Economic Analysis Unit at One North East produce a quarterly update on the state of the labour market in the North East. Drawing on nationally-sourced data, the Snapshot includes commentary about changing levels of employment, unemployment, economic activity, vacancies and earnings at regional and local levels. The latest version is on the NERIP website, with a new version due shortly. 

Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR)

The Office for National Statistics has provided an extract of data from the March 2009 IDBR showing the numbers of businesses, employees and aggregate levels of turnover for over 600 sectoral classifications. This data is fundamental to our understanding of the economy of the region and has proved an important ingredient in the evidence base for the North East Strategy and Local Economic Assessments. Previous extracts of the data (which work to a different set of sector definitions) can be obtained from NERIP on request.

Working Better - The Over 50s, the New Work Generation

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a research report, Older workers: employment preferences, barriers and solutions, which draws on a review, interviews with stakeholders and employers and a new survey of 1,500 people aged 50-75 years. The policy briefing, ‘Working Better - The over 50s, the new work generation’ draws on the new research and contains some findings, recommendations and practical solutions for government and employers.

On a related issue, the National Equality Panel’s report, An Anatomy of Economic Inequality in the UK, can be found here, and a report from Age Concern North East, All the Same, All Different, All Deserve the Best, contains statistics describing older people’s lives in the region.

No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment

Natural England's recent report shows how investment in the Natural Environment relates to long-term economic prosperity. The report can be found here.

Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy Capacity Assessment

The Association of North East Councils is commissioning a North East England renewable and low-carbon energy capacity assessment. This will form part of the evidence base for the North East Strategy, and comes on the back of the UK Renewable Energy Strategy (2009) which set targets for renewable energy. The study will follow a common methodology developed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), enabling comparisons to be made between regions.  

The resource and technological scope of this study is limited to the development of on-shore renewable, and low-carbon energy resources, in relation to electricity and heat only. It does not include transport. Off-shore potential will only be assessed at a high level. The project will:

-   Assess current energy supply and existing and future energy demands in North East England

-   Provide a detailed assessment of the potential for installed capacity by renewable and low carbon energy sources

-   Establish a robust framework of incremental capacities for renewable energy generation in North East England to 2020 and 2050 

-   Recommend a range within which renewable and low carbon energy targets could be set, for the North East Strategy and local development frameworks.
 

The project is expected to commence in March 2010, and a final report should be completed by July 2010. More details can be obtained from Steve Robson at ANEC.

North East Region Skills and Employment Partnership

The Partnership's website now contains a Labour Market Intelligence section.

Regional Health Profile

The latest Regional Health Profile, published by the North East Public Health Observatory, can now be found on-line.

Using small area data

The Association of Public Health Observatories has produced this very useful guide to using small area data. Although aimed at people working in the health sector, the messages contained have much wider application.

UKCES Almanac

The new UK Commission for Education and Skills Almanac includes indicators under the themes of context, productivity, employment, skills, and inequality. A variety of geographies, sectoral groupings, and socio-economic groups, are covered. The broad range of indicators reflects the need to connect skills, employment, and economic development policy.

Introduction to Quantitative Methods Course - last few spaces

There are a couple of spaces left on Tuesday 16 February's Introduction to Quantitative Methods course.  This is a one day course, provided by the Industrial Statistics Research Unit of Newcastle University, and its aim is to improve your understanding and use of data and statistics in your everyday work, through an equal balance of theory, examples and practical application.  The course costs £92 and takes place at the University.  If you are interested, please email catherine.lincoln@nerip.com.  The next available course is not until 21 July. 

Applied Quantitative Methods Training

There are also a couple of spaces left on the applied training programme in Quantitative Methods and Interpretation.  This course is designed to allow delegates to develop their ability to handle statistical data, interpret it, identify key messages, and make conclusions more understandable to a policy-focused audience.

The programme outline is:

Introductory Day – One Day of Introductory Training: Date 16 February 2010
This session is targeted at those who regularly use statistics in their work but who do not have a background in statistical analysis, as well as those who have such a background but would like to refresh their skills.  The aim is to build confidence in using data in everyday work and the day's training will consist of an equal balance of theory, examples and practical application.

Phase 1 - Two Days of Applied Training: 24 and 25 February 2010
Participants will develop their ability to handle and present statistical data from their own working environment.

Phase 2 – Project Coaching Workshop: 12 March 2010 - 2 hours
Participants will be expected to practice methods and apply techniques in the workplace. They will have the opportunity to attend a coaching workshop at Newcastle University, receiving coaching from a statistical expert in a 1-2 hour session.

Phase 3 – Evaluation Session & Forward Planning: 31 March 2010 - half day
The final half-day session will evaluate learning and review application of quantitative and statistical techniques.

The cost will be £385 per person (£480 per person if attending the introductory day as well).  Please contact Catherine Lincoln at NERIP if you are interested, at catherine.lincoln@nerip.com, or on 0191 229 6331.