Compared with other similar regions in Europe the South West has a similar rate of growth but has a lower GDP per head. The defence industry is crucial to the region s prosperity and technology base. Changes in the CAP may affect the region significantly, as defence cuts have already. Parts of the region are as remote as any part of England while to the east the region enjoys some of the best communications in the country. The distribution of employment growth is spread unevenly within the region.
Unemployment is highest towards the west of the region and along the coastal fringes.
There are also significant pockets of unemployment in some inner city areas and outlying estates. There is broad support for the introduction of an RDA covering the South West and a large measure of agreement about its role and core functions. The region lacks a strong sense of common identity or effective regional institutions and some consultees, principally Cornwall, Devon, Poole and Bournemouth, argued for different RDA boundaries. But the RDA is seen as providing an opportunity to establish a level playing field between the South West and its competitors and to help make the region more competitive and more unified. Key messages from the consultation include the need for the RDA to be fully accountable to the region, with close working relations between the RDA and local authorities.