> Levels of personal and household income in the South West are 7% to 11% lower than those for England as a whole,
depending on the measure. They also vary considerably across the region and tend to reduce steadily the further south and west one travels.
> Just over 1.6 million people (about 31% of the population) in the South West region are in receipt of one or more state benefit. Of this total, over 1.1 million people receive the state pension.
> Just over 415,000 people of working age (almost 13% of this age group) are in receipt of one or more state benefit.
> The number of households in the South West region that own a car or van (82%) is higher than the proportion for England as a whole (76%). The South West has the highest proportion of households with a telephone (92%, England 89%) and with a mobile phone (85%, England 81%).
> Internet connectivity rates have increased significantly over recent years, from 38% (2001/02) to 68% (2007 - 09).
> The most recent data shows that there are 286,000 workless households in the South West region, i.e. where there is at least one person of working age, but no-one in employment. This is the third lowest proportion among the English regions.
> There are 104,000 children in the South West living in workless households. Recent years have seen an increase in the proportion of children affected, the fifth highest regional rise.
> Around 179,000 South West residents live in an area ranked amongst the 10% most deprived in England.
> Rural households in the South West have poorer access to key services, employment and education than in most other English regions.
> It is estimated that there are up to 78,000 voluntary and community sector organisations in the South West region.
> There are over 18,000 registered general charities in the South West region. Their combined income in 2006/07 was
estimated to be £2.6 billion.
> The South West has above average rates of social and civic participation and volunteering.
> Around 10% of the population in the South West provide care for family, friends and neighbours who are ill, suffer from a disability or who are elderly. Around 100,000 people in the region provide in excess of 50 hours care per week.
> Over 400,000 adults and children in the South West are eligible for either the Disability Living Allowance or the
Attendance Allowance. Frailty is the main disabling condition for 5% of South West benefit recipients, a higher percentage than nationally.
> The proportion of adults in the South West regularly taking part in formal volunteering is 31%, the highest amongst the English regions, and above the England average of 25%.
> Transport indicators show that the far south west of the region and other rural districts have a lower number of jobs accessible by either public transport or by walking than other districts.
> Just under 12% of South West households are fuel poor, which is defined as having to spend more than 10% of household income on heating, lighting and cooking.The latest data shows since that the regional figure continues to be slightly below the England value.
