Berkshire Economic Commentary 2011 - March 2011

Unemployment is up again for the second consecutive month, after 2010s near consistent falls.  Good news is that vacancies are up from last month and higher than they were a year earlier.  Otherwise, it has been a quiet month for business news, possibly due to waiting for the Budget to be announced, which it was on 23 March.  The Budget forecasts that the coming year will be another tough one for growth, and with budget cuts in both the public and private sectors still to be fully felt, this seems like a realistic prediction.  However, through this, there are glimmers of light with some inward investment success in Slough, some easing of bank lending and a newly formed Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which is a business led group whose sole focus will be to positively impact the local economy.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS THE FINAL COMMENTARY PUBLISHED ON A MONTHLY BASIS.  PUBLICATION WILL NOW MOVE TO A QUARTERLY BASIS.  THE NEXT COMMENTARY WILL BE RELEASED AT THE END OF JUNE 2011, AND THEN EVERY THREE MONTHS THEREAFTER.