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In this section you'll find links to news about data, research and evidence relating to policy matters.

SWO Communications

SWO sends out a weekly e-bulletin containing all important announcements and recent publications. Subscribe to the 'Friday Update' e-bulletin here.

We also produce a quarterly newsletter - download the December 2012 edition here.

Finally, see @swobservatory for regular tweets from SWO.

Information for Journalists

SWO issues press releases relating to our publications and events. We can also sometimes respond to queries relating to research and statistics for South West England. To be added to the SWO media database please email andrew.dunne@swo.org.uk.

SWO News (Also see the SWO News Database)

Business Tracker for June shows continued strength in the stock market
The latest South West Business Tracker is out, pointing towards the continued strength in the overall stock market throughout April and May. The Business Tracker, devised by SWO to provide real-time information about some of the most significant publicly traded businesses in the region, follows the stock market to provide a snapshot of the trading conditions local businesses face. This month's update highlights positive trading announcements made by Supergroup, Wincanton, Punch Taverns, WHS and Babcock - among focus companies. More mixed trading news was released by FlyBe, First Group - both announcing structural changes - and Imperial Tobacco, which saw weaker demand for tobacco products. Click on the link below to find out more. 17/06/2013
Signs of Green Shoots?
The SWO Economy Module has just released a new data alert, focusing on a series of recent data releases that point towards a picture of growing confidence in the economy. 'Signs of Green Shoots?' looks at services output, with the index of services having increased by 1.6% in March 2013 when compared to the previous year . It also highlights construction output data, showing that construction output for March was over 12% higher than for February. Finally, it considers production output, using the index of production to show that from March - April 2013 output rose by 0.1%. The paper also looks at the latest Purchasing Managers Index which showed positive signals for the services sector in its latest release - growing at the fastest rate since March 2012. The Markit/CIPS Services for the UK rose to 54.9 in May from 52.9 in April. Download the report below. 17/06/2013
West of England Quarterly Reports & Survey
Through the West of England LEP website you'll now find the Executive Summary to the West of England LEP Quarterly Economic Bulletin and the Barriers to Growth Survey Report. These documents are available to download from the LEP website at http://www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/about-us/economic-intelligence/reports-and-surveys 02/05/2013
Business West's Quarterly Economic Survey
Access the latest Quarterly Economic Survey results for the South West, compiled by Business West. The Business West quarterly survey provides a regular assessment on the economic situation of local business and is a valuable source of intelligence for businesses, politicians and policy makers. On a national level, results from the survey feed into the British Chambers quarterly survey, recognised as the largest and most representative independent business survey. There were 537 responses to this quarter's survey - an increase of over 200 from the last survey. 24/04/2013

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Press Releases

Housing, Planning and the Economy: Planning Minister Nick Boles and Bristol Mayor to speak at SWO eventThe impacts of house-building and planning on economic growth will come under the spotlight today [Tuesday 26 February] as politicians, including Planning Minister Nick Boles MP and Bristol Mayor George Ferguson, along with other expert speakers, debate the topic at a conference at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).
Rebalancing the economy an 'uphill battle' across South West, but training and new skills key to jobs growth (02.11.2011)Analysis published today by SWO points towards an 'uphill battle' to rebalance the local economy and only 'modest prospects' that jobs for the region's unemployed will come from the private sector. But for a part of the country that has been heavily dependent on the public sector for employment, the report suggests that skills and re-training are critical to ensure local people can take advantage of future jobs.
Local Economy Resilient to Recession but risks ahead warns report (29.03.2011)Whilst the South West economy has weathered recession relatively well, its future growth will be constrained by a combination of public-private sector rebalancing, reduced household spending and fragile business confidence. That's the message from the South West Observatory's recent update to its State of the South West report in the week following the Chancellor's Budget.
Report Highlights Drop in Smoking and Alcohol Consumption in the South West, but inequalities persist (17.03.2011)The 2011, State of the South West report, published this week, highlights data showing a drop in rates of smoking and alcohol consumption. The report, produced by SWO includes figures from the latest General Lifestyle Survey (2009) showing that there has been a 3% drop in adults smoking in the area, with a massive 5% drop in smoking among women. The South West now has an overall smoking rate of 18% which compares favourably to the national rate of 21%. Smoking in women fell to 17% from 22% in 2008, well be
Report Shines Spotlight on State of the South West (16.03.2011)People living in the South West live longer and enjoy a better quality life than most of the rest of the UK. These are key findings from the wealth of information presented in the latest version of the 'State of the South West'. This on-line report, launched today by the South West Observatory provides a detailed picture of people, jobs and quality of life across the region. At a time when the effects of recession, efforts to rebalance the economy and radical reform of public services will impact on indiv