Strong Economy & Economic Regeneration

Overview

Health and the economy are the twin pillars of a resilient, thriving and prosperous society. The economy is also a major reason for differences in health outcomes. Wirral is at an important point in its economic history, having embarked on a transformational regeneration programme along the ‘Left Bank’ of the River Mersey which stretches from New Brighton to Bromborough, underpinned by the Birkenhead 2040 Framework and Local Plan. There are new opportunities with the transformation of Seacombe, and developments in Birkenhead Town Centre, all of which provides a unique opportunity for positive change.

This significant regeneration programme will be used to drive health improvement in areas where health is poorest by addressing the income and employment issues that cause ill health. With Community Wealth Building principles at its heart to help build an inclusive, fairer economy, this inclusive economic growth will generate jobs and prosperity for the people of Wirral in the future.

Recently published:

The mental health and wellbeing impact of a Community Wealth Building programme in England: a difference-in-differences study. (The Lancet) (April 2023)
Does it work? Measuring impact for community wealth building (The Municipal Journal (the MJ)) (April 2023)

Economy, Business and Skills

For more information please visit our dedicated Economy, Business and Skills webpage

Employment and Unemployment

For more information please visit our dedicated Employment and Unemployment webpage

Health and Worklessness

An Evaluation of the Wirral Health Related Worklessness Programme (November 2019)

View Health and Worklessness page

Statistics on employment

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Wider determinants of health profile - this profile features information on the wider or social determinants of health including data on employment and the labour market.
Nomis - Labour market statistics - the Office for National Statistics publishes labour market statistics through the Nomis website and the annual population survey contains data on unemployment and economic inactivity. There are also other datasets showing claimant counts of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit, and other Department for Work and Pensions benefits.
Nomis - Local authority profile - these profiles are available for Rochdale and include some of the data from the key datasets on population, employment, unemployment, qualifications, earnings, benefit claimants and businesses.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Stat-Xplore - stat-Xplore provides a guided way to explore DWP benefit statistics, currently holding data relating to 16 different benefits and programmes.

Further background information

Public Health England (2019) - Guidance - Workplace health - applying All Our Health
Population health in business - from Public Policy Projects - this report explores the significant impact that businesses can have in promoting positive employee and community health outcomes and proposes a series of policy recommendations to create healthier and more equitable communities.
Public Health England / UCL Institute of Health Equity (2015) - Local action on health inequalities - Promoting good quality jobs to reduce health inequalities
NICE guidance - workplace setting

For more information, please visit the Business and Economy and Transport and Connectivity sections of our interactive State of the Borough report