Need to halt ‘brain drain’

BARROW, Furness and Cumbria has some excellent job prospects over the coming years.

There’s the slow, but steady, growth of the workforce at BAE Systems as it gears up for the Trident successor.

At Ulverston there’s the GlaxoSmithKline expansion.

And there’s all the energy opportunities associated with being on Britain’s Energy Coast.

Each also has supply chain benefits for firms in the area, and the opportunity for other businesses to spring up around them.

You will see from the Evening Mail’s Love Business pages every Tuesday that there is no shortage of skilled employment, and there are new vacancies available.

It is a worry, therefore, to learn today that Barrow borough has the fastest declining population in England and Wales. The results of the 2001 to 2011 census have revealed the population fell by 2,900 during the period.

The drop in Barrow borough was the biggest in England, and one of only 15 districts to see a decline.

Copeland saw a 1.9 per cent increase and there was a 1.3 per cent rise in South Lakeland.

There have long since been fears about a “brain drain” from Barrow.

And today’s figures show there is still much work to do.

First there’s the need to shout even louder and more effectively about what opportunities there are in the area.

Secondly there’s a need to provide diverse jobs, good housing, hospital, schools and entertainment to ensure that this becomes an area of choice to live, work and play.