x
RECEIVE BUSINESS MK FREE TO YOUR DOOR EACH MONTH, COURTESY OF ROYAL MAIL.
* indicates required

Report praises city’s success in tackling recession

 

The organisation’s City Outlook 2010 highlights Milton Keynes’ high employment rate and the quality of its workforce.
 
Of those jobs, Milton Keynes was highly placed for the number of ‘knowledge-intensive’ jobs, only being beaten into fourth place in the UK by the world-famous learning seats of learning of Cambridge and Oxford, as well as arts and culture beacon Edinburgh.
 
According to the report, in 2009 Milton Keynes had the second highest employment rate, at 80.2%, compared to the national average of around 74%.  
 
The Milton Keynes Economic Task group, which includes the council, Milton Keynes Partnership, the Milton Keynes Economic & Learning Partnership, Business Link and Milton Keynes Council of Voluntary Organisations, has been working on a programme of recession-busting activity in four areas:  
 
  • Supporting businesses;
  • Developing skills and employment opportunities;
  • Supporting individuals and communities;
  • Developing the Milton Keynes ‘offer’.

       

Activity includes workshops, a package of financial support for local organisations, creating around 100 local jobs using the government’s Future Jobs Fund, and the launch of an on-line hub for advice and support during the economic downturn.  
 
 
City leaders have welcomed the report. Cllr Jenni Ferrans, cabinet member with responsibility for the economy, said: "We have always had unshaken faith that Milton Keynes could ride out the recession and these figures from Centre for Cities confirm that.
 
 
“One of the key strengths we have is partnership working – with the council, Milton Keynes Partnership, MKELP working closely together and cutting through red tape to get things moving very quickly. This means when the recession hit we were able to use existing resources and relationships rather than spending time setting up new ones.  
 
 
"In these tight times we are not only ‘weathering the storm’ – we have been able to shake off the inertia of the credit crunch to make headway and positive gains.”  

More from Milton Keynes: