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Economic Development

West Midlands economy amongst regions hardest hit by the coronavirus lockdown - report

º£½ÇÊÓÆµ Powerhouse Report reveals daily GVA fall of £245m per day in the West Midlands

The value of goods and services produced in the West Midlands is estimated to be falling by 40 per cent a day - to the tune of £245 million - during lockdown, it has been revealed.

º£½ÇÊÓÆµ Powerhouse - a report by Irwin Mitchell and the Centre For Economic Research (Cebr) - has revealed the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on the West Midlands' economy.

The report shows that gross added value (GVA) - the value of goods and services produced - in the West Midlands is estimated to be falling by 40 per cent - or £245m - every day during the lockdown.

It also outlines that the West Midlands is more vulnerable than others as it is one of the major centres for manufacturing in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ.

Manufacturing loss in the region accounts for just under a third of the total GVA lost, at £81m per day.

The West Midlands also has a relatively small professional service economy with financial and insurance activities accounting for six per cent of the total share of pre-COVID GVA, compared to London where it accounts for 13 per cent.

This lower proportion of professional service infrastructure means the region’s ability to work from home during lockdown has been more limited and hence there is a significant impact on the total GVA lost per day.

Chris Rawstron, partner and head of business legal services at Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham, said: "In absolute terms, the West Midlands does not fare as badly as some other regions but relatively speaking, it is likely to be one of the regions with the highest daily GVA falls.