Strategic Economic Audit of the West of England
An independent, evidence-led assessment of the West of England economy, highlighting the region’s strengths, structural challenges and opportunities for long-term, sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Strategic Economic Audit analyses multiple aspects of the West of England economy including productivity, innovation, skills, labour markets, business dynamics, migration, infrastructure, the environment and inequalities. It uses comprehensive Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, administrative datasets and qualitative insights to capture conditions across the region’s four constituent local authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
The West of England is one of the UK’s strongest regional economies, shaped by exceptional talent, globally competitive universities and internationally significant industrial clusters. Yet despite these advantages, the region’s ability to deliver broad-based, sustainable and inclusive growth is increasingly constrained by structural pressures. Rising housing costs, congested transport networks, uneven digital connectivity and widening inequalities are reshaping economic opportunity and limiting long-term resilience.
This audit brings together quantitative indicators and lived experience from industry to provide a clear, objective picture of where the region performs strongly, where challenges are intensifying and where future risks and opportunities lie.
It highlights powerful economic fundamentals – high productivity, a skilled workforce, strong export performance and vibrant innovation ecosystems – alongside growing strains in housing, infrastructure, SME scaling, labour market participation and environmental resilience.
The findings set out the evidence base needed to guide regional strategy, investment and collaboration. They show that unlocking the region’s full potential will require coordinated, long-term action across public, private and civic partners, focused on strengthening the systems that underpin inclusive and sustainable growth.
You can read the full Strategic Economic Audit of the West of England by clicking below.
