State of the South West

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The latest State of the South West was formally launched on Wednesday 16 March 2011 thanks to hard work and collaboration of authors within the SWO network. To access the online version and download sections of the report see State of the South West 2011.

The State of the South West has been a key piece of work for the Observatory since the first printed version was launched back in 2004. Since then, the report has followed a three year cycle of printed version in year 1, online update in year 2, and finally a short What’s Changed document in year 3. You can still read the State of the South West 2010 report online and can download all PDF chapters from previous reports back to 2004.

The last printed version was published in March 2010, meaning we’re now in the third year of this cycle. This year, given the substantial changes to policy, geographies and organizations, we will be producing a slightly different report. Called 'The Changing State of the South West', the document will take a look at some of the key policy changes that have happened since the change of Government in 2010, assessing what they mean for the South West. This will be presented alongside, as usual, data analysis of what has altered over the past year.

'The Changing State of the South West'will be published in February 2012.

2011 Foreword

The South West Observatory network supports evidence-based strategy, policy and decision-making within, and about, the the South West of England. The network collectively contributes to, and promotes, the development and common understanding of a shared evidence base through the pooling of best practice, resources and intelligence.

The State of the South West is updated annually online and draws together inputs from the wider Observatory network. It describes recent trends and highlights key challenges and issues faced by this part of the country. The online resource provides detailed access to underpinning data, and individual chapters will be made available to download in pdf form. I commend it as a way into understanding the make up of the region, a snapshot that will stand comparison over time.

I would like to thank all the contributors for their work and continued dialogue throughout the updating process. Special thanks go to the State of the South West Production Team at the Observatory Core Unit for pulling everything together.

We welcome any comments, suggestions or contributions you feel would improve the State of the South West going forward. Please email enquiries@swo.org.uk.

Vinita Nawathe

Managing Director, South West Observatory Core Unit

Previous Editions

State of the South West 2006 What's Changed