Business
The South West of England encompasses a diverse mix of rural and urban areas, including counties such as Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Home to around 5.7 million people, the region accounts for approximately 8.5% of the UK population. While cities like Bristol continue to thrive, ranking among the most affluent urban areas outside London, other parts of the region, particularly in the far west such as Cornwall, face persistent economic challenges.
The South West Productivity Forum was launched in July 2025 to understand specific productivity challenges facing the South West and support place-based solutions for better policy making. It aims to strengthen existing collaborations and develop new ones across the region, as well as hosting events to bring stakeholders together to make progress on key regional productivity issues and policies, while also providing a convening platform for inputs to emerging Local Growth Plans within the South West of England and the new local and devolved government arrangements, plans and strategies.
The Forum also contributes to The Productivity Institute’s broader research agenda and ensures the region’s challenges and opportunities are reflected in the UK’s economic future.
