A strong educational background supports growth in the local economy through offering opportunities for many different skills. This grows the economy in a stable way that is less vulnerable to market variations in any one industry type.

Increasing the number of people employed also aids the local community through reducing the gap between those socially and economically disadvantaged and the average of community.

Have a look at Your Runnymede to find out more about employment in the Borough.

Runnymede objectives and indicators

Runnymede's sustainability objective is to ensure high and stable levels of employment so everyone can benefit from the economic growth of the Borough.

Runnymede has had consistently low unemployment for the last five years. Nearly 80% of residents are employed whilst only 1% were registered unemployed in March 2005, lower than the South East and UK average. Of those claiming unemployment benefits, 12% have been out of work for more than a year.

The number of people employed in the borough is broken into ward level in Map 3.1. These areas correspond loosely with the settlements of Egham and Chertsey and St Peter's Hospital.