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Western Telegraph
31-07-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire among the worst places for unemployment
Bridgend recorded the lowest employment rate at 67.3 per cent, with Pembrokeshire not far behind at 72.0 per cent, according to research by business energy experts Utility Bidder. The study examined employment rates, business survival, GDP, education, and transport links to assess the best and worst places in Wales to start a business. Chris Shaw, chief executive officer at Utility Bidder, said: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy, accounting for 98 per cent of all enterprises across the whole of the United Kingdom at the start of 2024. "Wales is a great place for new businesses to flourish, and at Utility Bidder, we wanted to discover the best areas for starting a business." The data shows that across the 10 worst-performing regions, 29 per cent of adults are unemployed. For context, the average employment rate across Welsh local authorities is 73.2 per cent, compared to 74 per cent in Scotland and 76.8 per cent in England. Mr Shaw said: "From our study findings, we found that whilst the average employment rate across Welsh local authorities is 73.2 per cent, this rate dropped to 71 per cent on average when looking at the top 10 Welsh regions for unemployment. "Topping the list was Bridgend with an employment rate of 67.3 per cent, and ultimately, one in three adults in the area are without a job on average."
South Wales Argus
29-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport and Torfaen among worst places for unemployment
Bridgend recorded the lowest employment rate at 67.3 per cent, with Torfaen and Newport not far behind at 71.6 per cent and 72 per cent respectively, according to research by business energy experts Utility Bidder. The study examined employment rates, business survival, GDP, education, and transport links to assess the best and worst places in Wales to start a business. Chris Shaw, chief executive officer at Utility Bidder, said: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy, accounting for 98 per cent of all enterprises across the whole of the United Kingdom at the start of 2024. "Wales is a great place for new businesses to flourish, and at Utility Bidder, we wanted to discover the best areas for starting a business." The data shows that across the 10 worst-performing regions, 29 per cent of adults are unemployed. For context, the average employment rate across Welsh local authorities is 73.2 per cent, compared to 74 per cent in Scotland and 76.8 per cent in England. Mr Shaw said: "From our study findings, we found that whilst the average employment rate across Welsh local authorities is 73.2 per cent, this rate dropped to 71 per cent on average when looking at the top 10 Welsh regions for unemployment. "Topping the list was Bridgend with an employment rate of 67.3 per cent, and ultimately, one in three adults in the area are without a job on average."
Daily Record
28-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Research finds employment numbers in West Lothian are lower than national average
Utility Bidder analysed a range of factors to determine which areas are the best for new businesses Less than three-quarters of people in West Lothian are in employment, according to research into UK business hotspots. Business energy expert Utility Bidder analysed a range of factors to determine which areas are the best for new businesses in 2025. They considered GDP, business survival rates, transport links, education rates, employment rates and office efficiency ratings to reveal the best and worst local authority areas for Scottish entrepreneurs to start their businesses. The data revealed that West Lothian finds itself at joint-eighth place of local authorities in Scotland with the lowest employment rates. Clackmannanshire fared worst of all with less than two-thirds of people in employment, 64.4 per cent, followed by North Ayrshire at 64.9 per cent. West Lothian's 72.3 per cent rate is better than both Glasgow City and Dundee City on 66.1 per cent and 66.6 per cent respectively, but over 10 per cent behind the highest rate in Scotland – 83.6 per cent in Aberdeenshire. The employment rate for West Lothian is just 1.7 per cent below the Scottish average of 74 per cent, which compares to the national average in England of 76.8 per cent, and Wales at 73.2 per cent. The research found that Edinburgh City has the highest GDP per capita of more than £60,700, and is the best place in the country to start a new business in 2025. However, on a more cautious note it recorded a five-year business survival rate of only 38.6 per cent. The Shetland Islands has the strongest five-year survival rate of 57.1 per cent. Chris Shaw, CEO at Utility Bidder, said: 'Small businesses, the lifeblood of Scotland's economy, accounted for 98 per cent of all enterprises across the whole of the United Kingdom at the start of 2024. Scotland is a great place for new businesses to flourish. 'We considered everything from internet speeds and local qualification rates to the proportion of new businesses that survived the last five years, as well as employment rates across Scotland. 'From our study findings, we found that whilst the average employment rate across Scotland's local authorities is 74 per cent.'
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
The Scottish areas with the lowest employment levels named including two cities
New research has revealed the places in Scotland with the highest rates of unemployment. The areas of Scotland with the lowest employment rates have been revealed, with more than a third of adults without a job in some regions. Two major Scottish cities are included on the roundup. On Thursday, July 24, Utility Bidder shared a list of the areas of the country where employment is the lowest. A total of 10 Scottish regions were named as having among the highest unemployment rates. Topping the list as the area of Scotland with the lowest employment rate is Clackmannanshire. According to the experts, the region has an employment rate of 64.4 per cent - meaning over 35 per cent of adults in the area are out of work. Clackmannanshire borders Stirling, Fife, and Perth and Kinross. It is home to settlements such as Alloa, Tullibody, Sauchie, and Alva. Following behind in second place on Utility Bidder's roundup is North Ayrshire in the west central Lowlands. According to the experts, the area has an employment rate of 64.9 per cent. North Ayrshire's biggest settlement is Irvine, with a population of around 34,000 people. Other towns in the council area include Kilwinning, Saltcoats, and Largs. The area of Scotland with the third lowest employment was found to be Inverclyde. The region has an employment rate of 65.8 per cent according to the experts. Situated in the west central Lowlands, Inverclyde borders North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. Its largest towns are Greenock, Port Glasgow, and Gourock. The Utility Bidder research analysed the best and worst regions for Scottish entrepreneurs to start their businesses based on factors like GDP, business survival rates, transport links, education rates, and office efficiency ratings. Also included was the employment rates for each of Scotland's areas. And rounding out the top five Scottish spots with the lowest employment rates are two of the country's cities. Glasgow was found to have an employment rate of 66.1 per cent, while the rate in Dundee was revealed to 66.6 per cent. Other council areas named on Utility Bidder's list of the destinations with the lowest employment rates are Angus and South Ayrshire. According to the experts, the employment rates in the two areas are 67.9 per cent and 71.3 per cent, respectively. Completing the list of the areas of Scotland with the lowest employment rates are West Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, and West Lothian. The rate of employment was found to be 72.3 per cent in all three areas. On the other hand, Aberdeenshire is the area of Scotland with the highest employment rate according to Utility Bidder. The region, which is home to settlements such as Peterhead and Inverurie, has an employment rate of 83.6 per cent. CEO at Utility Bidder Chris Shaw commented: "From our study findings, we found that whilst the average employment rate across Scotland's local authorities is 74 per cent (compared with 76.8 per cent in England and 73.2 per cent in Wales), this rate dropped to 68.4 per cent on average when looking at the top 10 Scottish regions for unemployment." See below for the full list of the Scottish local authorities with the lowest employment rates. The full study can be found on the Utility Bidder website. The Scottish local authorities with the lowest employment rates Clackmannanshire — 64.4% North Ayrshire — 64.9% Inverclyde — 65.8% Glasgow City — 66.1% Dundee City — 66.6% Angus — 67.9% South Ayrshire — 71.3% West Dunbartonshire — 72.3% Falkirk — 72.3% West Lothian — 72.3%
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Blaenau Gwent records lowest educational rate in Wales
Just 17.8 per cent of residents in the area hold a level 4 qualification or above, according to new research by business energy experts Utility Bidder. The study also highlighted low attainment in neighbouring areas, with 20.6 per cent of people in Caerphilly and 21.8 per cent in Torfaen reaching the same qualification level. A spokesperson for Utility Bidder said: "Blaenau Gwent has the lowest educational rate of any other area in the study's Welsh areas, with a total of 17.8 per cent of its residents achieving a level 4 qualification or higher, compared to Monmouthshire, which is the highest in the study at 33.1 per cent." The research examined a range of factors including business survival rates, transport links, GDP, and office efficiency ratings to identify the best and worst places in the UK to start a business. Blaenau Gwent also recorded the lowest overall business score in the UK, with just 3.08 out of 10. The study found that only 8.75 per cent of UK local authorities have a five-year business survival rate of 50 per cent or higher. Areas in the South West of England performed best, with an average five-year survival rate of 46.34 per cent for new businesses. In comparison, the North East had the lowest average at 38.53 per cent. The full report, including findings for other regions of the UK, is available on the Utility Bidder website.
