2.5.20 As discussed previously, using GVA per head as a measure of productivity is not ideal. The ONS publishes other measures of productivity which divide GVA by labour input, namely, the number of filled jobs and the number of hours worked. These measures take into account commuting and employment patterns, the latter indicator accounting for different part-time working patterns across the regions.
2.5.21 In 2008, GVA per filled job in South West England was 11.5% less than the English average while GVA per hour worked was only 8.8% less (see Figure 2.5.5). This can be compared to the South West's GVA per head which was 11.2% below the English average in the same year. The relative strength of the GVA per hour worked figures is a reflection of the impact of the region’s comparably large proportion of part-time workers on productivity. On the measure of GVA per hour the SW ranked fourth highest of the English regions (again, behind only the Greater South East), while on GVA per filled job it ranked fifth highest.
Figure 2.5.5 Alternative Measures of Productivity (England = 100) 2008
