A fall in economic performance in Cornwall

It has been confirmed that Cornwall’s GDP continues to be below 75% of the EU average and we could still qualify for further structural funds over the next seven years.

In 1999, Cornwall’s GDP was 66% figure of the EU average. By 2006, this has risen to 78%, but has slipped back to 72% for 2009 (latest available figures).

Local newspapers have already pointed out that Cornwall has a lower economic performance than Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as some regions in Romania, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

It remains a disgrace that there are such disparities in the GDP of the various nations and regions of the over-centralised United Kingdom, with Cornwall and West Wales at the bottom of the pile.

Radical reform of the political and economic structures of the UK is long overdue.