Social and Economic Research Unit (Unses Hwithrans Socyal hag Erbysek)
Welcome to our new Social and Economic Research Unit. Explore our reports for insight into some of the most pressing issues affecting Cornwall's people and local communities today - from work and education to community life and job prospects.
On this website, you'll find research into these issues from ourselves, our partner organisations and our academic community.
Full Reports
Our full reports - from ourselves and partner organisations - collect together recent data about different aspects of Cornwall’s socio-economic landscape.
Author: Social and Economic Research Unit.
Key points:
- Newer housing has added to the housing stock but most housing for sale in Cornwall is not affordable for those earning the Cornish median wage, and those identifying as Cornish are less likely to live in newer housing,
- The housing crisis is not solely caused by new housing supply or who resides in newer properties but is shaped by broader market dynamics and migration trends.
- The data reinforces that migration to Cornwall continues to be primarily lifestyle-driven, with movers prioritizing environmental quality, rejoining family, and retirement over employment opportunities.
Authors: Michael Ireland, Lucy Ellis, Institute of Cornish Studies.
Key questions:
- How inter-related is the relationship between tourism, the economy of Cornwall, and housing supply and demand?
- Is there a dependency relationship between tourism and host communities; and tourism and the local authority?
- What myths regarding housing supply can we explore and challenge, and what do the existence of these myths tell us?
Authors: Phoebe Lawlor, Malcolm Williams, Joanie Willett
Key points
- 'The State of Cornwall’ is a new report which brings together the latest research into the social and economic issues affecting Cornwall today.
- Beneath Cornwall’s idyllic façade there is considerable poverty and inequality, yet we still have massive social and economic potential, cultural possibilities and environmental activism.
- Despite some noteworthy projects the overall picture is partial and fractured. Our new SERU unit was set up to rectify this knowledge gap.
- This report is the first step, and the intention is to gather an overall picture of Cornwall from the organisations working here. What do they see as the main problems we face and how do we proceed? Where should our research priorities lie?
Authors: Malcolm Williams and Phoebe Lawlor
Key points
- This detailed report examines local housing affordability in Cornwall.
- Rather than looking at affordability in Cornwall as a whole, the team have conducted analysis down to postcode level for both buying and renting.
- The overall conclusion is that whilst there are variations in house prices and rents across postcodes, there are very few postcodes where there is no affordability crisis.
Project lead: Dr Joanie Willett
Key Findings:
- People haven’t caught up with the changes in their economies so new jobs are either invisible or feel inaccessible.
- There is a really important talent pool that is under-used because of the difficulties that people have accessing information about their localities.
- There are important infrastructural problems that mean that people are not physically able to connect with new opportunities.
- We need to begin looking at regional economies from different starting points, thinking about the experience of people living and working in the region.
- We need to explore and understand the spaces where vital connections are not (yet) being made.
Author: Citizen’s Advice Cornwall
Key Findings:
- This report provides a snapshot of hidden homelessness
- It recognises that while there are many housing initiatives planned in Cornwall, some are many years from being realised and others are small scale in relation to the problem.
- Despite this, there are some steps that could be taken locally to mitigate the housing crisis, such as making use of empty homes and unused town centre spaces.
Eilish Calnan (Project Lead)
Key points:
- This report summarises the research being done by the University of Exeter onthe topic of natural capital
- Natural capital has always been important for Cornwall’s heritage, present, and future
- From using seaweed as biofuel to micro-climate farming, this report brings together a range of research
Key points:
- For the first time, this research shines a light on CIoS's vibrant digital and tech sector.
- But the industry is facing a recruitment crisis that shows no sign of slowing.
Ms J Pye, Dr A T Alexander, University of Exeter Business School, Cornwall.
Project Partners: Cornwall Council
Cornwall Marine Network
Key findings:
- Contribution of the Cornish marine sector to the local economy is estimated to be £1.1bn
- The number of active marine businesses identified in the sector has increased since 2008 from an estimated 650 to an estimated 855.
- Levels of innovation and entrepreneurship are also considered to be high.
- Companies also know that they need to diversify to remain competitive
- Demand for suitable and high quality workspace appears to hold back expansion and diversification
- Staffing issues are a concern for companies, many with an ageing workforce; those in more peripheral locations in particular have difficulties in retaining skilled staff due to travel and access issues.
University of Exeter researchers teamed up with Autonomy, to find out how a basic income could reduce poverty and improve living standards in Cornwall.
Key findings:
- A basic income in Cornwall could drastically reduce poverty rates in the region, and redress the ongoing consequences of inequality.
- A more introductory basic income – at a much lower cost – could still almost halve poverty in Cornwall.
- Cornish stakeholders interviewed were optimistic about the prospect of a basic income.
Key reports on:
- Social mobility indicators across the region, by constituency.
- The latest data on economic growth and the labour market.
- The factors shaping Cornwall's future and the Council's 2050 Vision for Cornwall.