THE government summary of economic forecasts for the UK in 2017 makes interesting reading when compared to 2016 forecasts at the same point in the year.

Growth, measured by GDP is at 1.2 per cent this year compared to 2.1 per cent for the last.

Unemployment up slightly from 4.9 per cent to 5.3 per cent. Inflation (retail price index) is expected to be at 3.2 per cent rather than 2.2 per cent in 2016 but ‘the deficit’ will be around £25 billion lower at the end of 2017. So 2017 is a little mixed, not great, but also not terrible either and not as good as 2016.

Warrington has performed above national averages on many economic factors in recent years with growth driven by continued investment (for example Omega) strong business start-up activity (UK Centre for Cities report) and unemployment recorded as below two per cent.

Things which will hit Warrington in 2017 include oil price rises, impacting on logistics and manufacturing costs in particular, Brexit concerns, depending upon firm European activities and exchange rates for companies importing materials.

So overall while it’s neither good nor bad for the UK, Warrington stands a little better.

Lawrence Bellamy is deputy provost at the University of Chester’s Padgate campus