as a Location

Statistical information on the Council area

February 2013

1 Introduction

Falkirk is situated right at the centre of . It has a growing population of over 154,000, with just under 60,000 people working in the area. The main towns are Falkirk itself, Grangemouth - Scotland’s premier port and home to its only major oil refinery - Bo’ness, Denny, Larbert and Stenhousemuir. Falkirk is one of the best connected areas in Scotland, within half an hour of and Edinburgh, and just 20 minutes drive from Edinburgh airport. It has excellent motorway and rail links, a sea terminal and 60% of Scotland’s population is within a 60 minute journey.

Grangemouth is Scotland’s largest deep sea container port, with excellent road and rail connections. Warehousing and distribution are key growth areas. Grangemouth’s major industry is chemicals with BP, Ineos, Syngenta, Avecia and Rhom & Haas, located in the area. Other key sectors in the Falkirk area include vehicle manufacturing, timber processing, tourism and leisure.

Falkirk town is the main administrative and shopping centre for the area. It has a vibrant town centre with many of the major retail chains including Tesco’s, Boots, Marks and Spencer’s, and Next . Falkirk ranks well above what might be expected for a town of its size in the retail hierarchy and was ranked in 7th place by CACI being beaten by four cities and two out of town shopping centres. Development and regeneration plans for each of the other town centres are progressing.

The world famous Falkirk Wheel was built as part of the Millennium project to re-open the historic Forth & Clyde and Union canals. It is currently attracting over 400,000 visitors each year. This adds to the existing attractions of the Antonine Wall (the Roman Empire’s most northerly frontier and part of a World Heritage site designated in 2008), the unique Dunmore Pineapple, Callendar House, Blackness Castle, Bo’ness Steam Railway, the Scottish Railway Museum and the Hippodrome Cinema.

In a joint project with British Waterways and Central Scotland Forest Trust, the Council has secured £25m of Big Lottery funding for the Helix Eco Park project which will consist of an environmental community with a second boat lift built in the form of two giant kelpies.

The fantastic new multi-use Falkirk Community Stadium adds to the area’s numerous leisure facilities which include an indoor and outdoor athletic stadium in Grangemouth, 7 golf courses, canal network, parks and cycle paths. In addition to this Falkirk Stadium served as a music venue in 2012 for the first time with a performance from Sir Elton John. The Eco Park is the newest green space being created in the area, the vision is an urban park that will provide residents and visitors with a series of outdoor rooms providing opportunities for a range of recreational activities and habitats for wildlife.

The Community Schools Project resulted in all eight high schools in the Falkirk area being rebuilt by 2009. This has enhanced the role which the schools will play in their community. Each school has become the focal point of each community in terms of community participation, lifelong learning and active citizenship. Forth Valley College provides further education services to the community with over 10,000 students currently enrolled in Falkirk. The college provides courses in engineering, business administration and call centre training. A HMIE review rated the College at the highest level ever achieved by any FE college in Scotland.

The Falkirk area has much to commend it as a location for business and as a place in which to live, work and visit. The My Future’s in Falkirk initiative is a transformational economic development programme for the Falkirk area, delivered by a radically open partnership originally set up by Falkirk Council, BP and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley. The 10 year initiative is already delivering real benefits for the economy, environment and social fabric of the area. The overall objective is to make the Falkirk area an even better location for business investment, families and visitors.

For more information on current action areas visit www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk

2 Population

The population of the Falkirk area is increasing. It currently stands at 154,380 (2011) but it is expected to grow to 168,688 by 2035 (an increase of 9.3%), making it one of the fastest growing areas in Scotland. The population of the area has increased by 6.3% over the last decade, with most of this growth taking place in the last four to five years.

The tables below show the estimated age groups for Falkirk Council compared to Scotland in and eight settlements population estimates for 2011.

Table 1: Population by Age Group 2011 Falkirk Scotland Age Group 2011 % 2011 % <15 26,661 17.3 853,891 16.2 15-29 27,878 18.1 1,043,451 19.9 30-44 31,985 20.7 1,028,454 19.6 45-59 32,340 20.9 1,104,630 21.0 60+ 35,516 23.0 1,224,374 23.3 Total 154,380 100.0 5,254,800 100.0 Source: NRS population estimates, 2011

Table 2: Population by Settlement 2011 Settlement Population Falkirk 35,413 Grangemouth 16,990 Bo'ness 14,574 Stenhousemuir 10,254 Larbert 8,566 Denny 7,859 Bonnybridge 5,446 Polmont 5,387 Source: Falkirk Council settlement population estimates, 2011

Figure 1: Population Projections for Falkirk Council 2011-2035

170,000

165,000

160,000

155,000

ProjectedPopulation 150,000

145,000

2018 2021 2024 2027 2030 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2022 2023 2025 2026 2028 2029 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 Year

Source: NRS population projections, 2010

3 Labour Market

Falkirk has more people employed within manufacturing, construction, health, public administration and defence and wholesale and retail than Scotland as a whole.

Table 3: Number of Employees by Sector 2011 Falkirk Scotland

No. % No. % Primary and Utilities 900 1.5 98,700 4.2 Construction 4,400 7.5 128,800 5.5 Finance, Business and Professional 6,200 10.6 438,300 18.8 Hotels and Restaurants 3,100 5.3 165,900 7.1 Manufacturing 7,100 12.1 179,600 7.7 Public Administration and Defence 4,900 8.3 148,300 6.4 Health 12,200 20.8 380,600 16.3 Education 4,100 7.0 190,600 8.2 Transport and Communications 5,100 8.7 154,600 6.6 Wholesale and Retail 9,000 15.3 343,400 14.7 Other 1,700 2.9 104,000 4.5 Total 58,700 100.0 2,332,800 100.0 Source: Business Register and Employment Survey 2011 Note: for confidentiality reasons the figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

Business Sector

Within the manufacturing sector, in 2010, Falkirk contributed 11.8% to Scotland’s gross value added at £12,354.5 million and was the top local authority followed by Glasgow at 11.2%.

Table 4: Manufacturing and GVA by Local Authority 2010

Gross Value Added at Basic Prices (£m) Falkirk 1,454.7 Glasgow City 1,186.2 996.8 Renfrewshire 871.3 Scotland 12,354.5 Source: Scottish Government, Scottish Annual Business Statistics, 2010

The table below illustrates the different sectors within the manufacturing. The highest number of employees in this sector is within Petroleum Products, Chemicals and Minerals which hires 3,000 employees.

Table 5: Falkirk Council GVA in the Manufacturing Sector 2010 Total GVA at GVA Per Employees Basic Employee (Th’s) Prices £m £ Food Products and Beverages 1.5 * * Textiles, Footwear, Leather and Clothing 0.1 3.0 38,781 Petroleum Products, Chemicals & Minerals 3.0 * * Metal Goods, Mechanical Engineering & Transport Equipment 1.3 * * Electrical and Instrument Engineering 0.0 * * Wood, Paper and Printing products 0.7 35.1 53,127 Other Manufacturing 0.4 19.6 42,493 Totals 7.1 1,454.7 205,063 Source: Scottish Government, Scottish Annual Business Statistics, 2010 * not available due to confidentiality constraints 4

The table below provides a break down on the different industries within the service sector in Falkirk Council for 2010. The highest number of employees within the service sector is in the category of wholesale and retail with 10,500 employees.

Table 6: Falkirk Council: Service Sector, 2010 Gross Value Gross Value Total Total Added at Added Per Employees Turnover Basic Prices Employee (Th's) (£m) (£m) ( £) Wholesale, retail and repairs 10.5 3,231.7 -86.6 -8,285 Transport and storage 3.2 290.5 157.3 48,656 Accommodation and food 3.0 100.0 45.3 14,871 service activities Information and communication 0.5 48.0 24.8 47,150 Insurance, reinsurance, 1.7 152.7 107.0 63,245 professional, scientific and technical activities Real estate activities 0.4 * * * Administrative and support 3.6 * * * service activities Education, human health and 2.7 62.1 44.4 16,535 social work activities Arts, entertainment and 0.8 210.9 20.6 24,493 Otherrecreation serv ice activities 0.7 39.3 20.7 28,493 Source: Scottish Government, Scottish Annual Business Statistics, 2010 * not available due to confidentiality constraints

Income and Earnings

The average income for full-time workers in the Falkirk area is £24,694. Gross weekly pay in Falkirk is slightly below the Scotland average.

Table 7: Gross Weekly Pay 2012 Falkirk Scotland Full time workers £479.80 £498.30 Male full time workers £527.50 £535.40 Female full time work £428.70 £439.70 Source :NOMIS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2012

Unemployment

The table below shows unemployment rates in the Falkirk area and across Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole. Overall, unemployment in Falkirk was higher than the Scottish and UK average for December 2012. The rate of unemployment claimants for males (6.0%) was higher than both the Scottish rate of 5.4% and the UK rate of 4.9%. The rate of unemployment for females is also higher in Falkirk than the Scottish and UK average.

Table 8: Job Seekers Allowance claimants December 2012 Male Female Total Area Count % Count % Count % Falkirk 2,950 6.0 1,384 2.7 4,334 4.4 Scotland 91,904 5.4 41,599 2.4 133,503 3.9 United Kingdom 1,002,240 4.9 520,982 2.5 1,523,222 3.7 Source: NOMIS, Claimant Counts for December 2012

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The table below shows the December unemployment rates for 2007 to 2012. Unemployment has increased since 2007, most noticeably between 2007 and 2008 at the beginning of the recession. Since 2010 however the unemployment rate has decreased in Falkirk.

Table 9: Unemployment rates 2007-2012 Falkirk Scotland UK 2007 1.9 2.0 2.0 2008 3.2 2.9 2.9 2009 4.1 3.9 3.9 2010 4.6 4.0 3.5 2011 4.3 4.0 3.8 2012 4.3 3.9 3.7 Source: NOMIS, Claimant Counts for December 2007-2012

Commuting

The figure below shows the number of people commuting into and out of the Falkirk Council area. The area with the highest number of people commuting to Falkirk is at 2,667 and the area with the highest number of people commuting from Falkirk is Edinburgh at 4,933.

Figure 2: Commuting to/from Falkirk 2001

Travel to Work Patterns

Clackmannanshire Fife

Stirling 2,667 1,122 730 1,472 1,502 3,873

4,933 782 Glasgow Falkirk Edinburgh 1,029 2,329 45,480*

3,562 2,029 1,824 2,115 West North

2,074 1,618 437 188

Rest of Scotland Elsewhere

Source: 2001 Census

* Includes not stated and no fixed workplace

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Education and Qualifications

Primary school attendance rates for Falkirk and Scotland as a whole are similar at 94.6% and 94.8% respectively whilst secondary school attendance rates for Falkirk at 88.1% are slightly below the rate for Scotland as a whole at 91.1%.

The level of school qualifications achieved in Falkirk is similar to the Scottish rate for S4 and S5 but is slightly below the Scottish rate for S6. This is shown in the table below.

Table 10: Attainment Levels 2011/2012 Falkirk (%) Scotland (%) 5+ Standard 80.2 78.8 S4 5+ Intermediate 2 36.2 36.4 5+ Intermediate 2 50.2 50.8 S5 3+ Higher 24.3 26.3 3+ Higher 35.0 35.3 S6 5+ Higher 24.2 23.9 Source: Scottish Government Attainment Levels 2011/2012

Destination of School Leavers

The percentage (31.8%) of school leavers entering higher education is below the Scottish level (35.8%), and 21.6% of Falkirk school leavers go on to Further Education compared to 27.1% for Scotland. The number of leavers who go on to training (13.1%) is higher than the Scottish level of 5.6%. The percentage of school leavers who are employed in Falkirk (20.7%) and Scotland (19.3%) are similar. The percentage of school leavers who are unemployed and are seeking employment or training is similar for Falkirk (10.3%) and Scotland as a whole (9.6%).

Figure 3: School Leaver Destination 2010/2011

40.0 35.8 Falkirk 35.0 31.8 Scotland

30.0 27.1

25.0 21.6 20.7 19.3 20.0

Percentage 15.0 13.1

10.3 9.6 10.0 5.6 5.0 1.4 1.2 0.6 0.5 0.0 Higher Further Training Employment Unemployed Unemployed Other Education Education Seeking Work Not Seeking Work Destination

Source: Scottish Government School Leavers Destination Survey 2010/11

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House Prices

The average house price in Falkirk in December 2012 was £122,531, 5% lower than the previous year. The Scottish price for 2012 was £158,556.

Business Property and Sites

The Falkirk Council Structure Plan is the strategic land use plan which provides the broad framework for detailed planning policies in the Local Plan and determining planning applications. The purpose is to indicate the general scale and location of future development in line with national policies set our by the Scottish Government. The Structure Plan contains policies covering the following key areas: overall approach to the development of the area, the number and location of new houses over the next 15/20yrs, the amount and location of new land that should be set aside for employment development, the location of new shopping and leisure development, the main transport proposals and the areas that should be protected from development. For a copy of the plans call Development Services on 01324 504 950 or email [email protected], alternatively you can access the local plan at: https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/development/planning/planning_and_environment/falkirk_ council_local_plan/falkirk_council_download_page.aspx and the structure plan at: https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/development/planning/planning_and_environment/structur e_plan/PDFs/structure%20plan.pdf

The Business Property Register is an ideal point of reference for companies or individuals looking for land or property in which to start a new business venture, relocate or expand an existing business. To access this site visit www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk or call Jennifer Anton, Falkirk Council on 01324 590975 for more information on availability.

Quality of Life

Living Conditions

Within Falkirk Council area, 64.7% of households own their own homes (including ex right to buy properties).

Table 12: Housing Tenure in Falkirk 2013 Falkirk Housing Owner Private Council Association Occupied Rented

22.7% 4.7% 64.7% 7.9% Source: Research and Information Unit, Falkirk Council 2011

The 2008/2009 Scottish household survey revealed that 95% of people in Falkirk think that their neighbourhood is a good place to live in and 97% of people have never experienced any serious disputes with their neighbours. 89% of people in the Falkirk area now have access to the internet. This is up from 34% in 2001/02.

Crime

Falkirk has a lower crime rate than other parts of Scotland with only 520 crimes recorded per 10,000 of the population in 2011/2012, compared to a Scottish figure of 598. The table below illustrates that from 2009/2010 recorded crime in the Falkirk area has declined. The clear up rate is well above the Scottish average - 58% of all crimes were cleared up, while only 49% of all crimes in Scotland were solved.

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Table 13: Crime rates in Falkirk 2009-2012 2009/2010 2010/11 2011/12 Recorded Recorded Recorded Crime per Clear up Crime per Clear up Crime per Clear up 10,000 rate 10,000 rate 10,000 rate Falkirk 528 61% 543 59% 520 58% Scotland 651 49% 619 49% 598 49% Source: Scottish Government Recorded crime in Scotland statistics 2010, 2011 and 2012

Sources For further information

Population: National Records for Scotland (NRS) formerly Falkirk Council General Register Office for Scotland Research and Information unit ©Crown Copyright (gro-scotland.gov.uk) Corporate and Neighbourhood Services Labour Market, Income and Earnings, Claimant Count: NOMIS Municipal Buildings NOMIS ©Crown Copyright (nomisweb.co.uk) Falkirk Council FK1 5RS Business Sector, Education, Crime: Scottish Government Tel: (01324) 506016 (Scotland.gov.uk) E-mail: [email protected] Housing Tenure: Research and Information Unit (falkirk.gov.uk) Website: www.falkirk.gov.uk

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