Regional Development Agency Helps Boost the South East Economy
22 July 2008The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has once again exceeded expectations, with new figures published today showing how its programmes and influence have delivered real economic benefit across the region.
For the 2007/08 financial year, figures just released show that SEEDA has:
- created 7,600 new jobs in the region, and helped a further 12,600 people into employment;
- created or attracted nearly 5,000 new businesses to the region;
- helped 57000 businesses to improve their performance and assisted over 1,600 businesses engage in new collaborations with the UK knowledge database;
- attracted GBP180 million of investment to regenerate deprived areas, 53% of it from the private sector;
- regenerated 83.5 hectares of brownfield land;
- helped over 50,000 people in their skills development, including nearly 2,150 through the "Skills for Life" strategy and supported over 1,100 in achieving a level 2 qualification or its equivalent.
Announcing the latest results, Minister of State at the Department of Business and Enterprise, Pat McFadden, said:
"At a time of economic uncertainty it is more important than ever that we have strong RDAs supporting business, fostering economic development and helping to create and safeguard jobs in their region.
"This report shows that SEEDA is doing well and meeting its targets."
Pam Alexander, chief executive of SEEDA, added:
"Our task is to add value to our partners in local government and in businesses from Milton Keynes to Kent. I am delighted to report such excellent results. Over the three years Corporate Plan period SEEDA has driven economic development across the region, supporting success and lifting under-performance in businesses and communities. The new focus on innovation has seen exciting new collaborations between businesses and our world-class research base, driving high quality jobs and skills."
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