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32 Issue 3 2020 Infrastructure South West – A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross A30 upgrade for Cornwall: The Chiverton to Carland Cross includes upgrading the A30 to dual carriageway north of Truro, linking existing dual carriageways around Bodmin with the Redruth bypass. Work will take three years to complete. Project value: £210,000,000. Sector comparison June’s growth figures were notable for the sectors previously most impacted recovering strongly Construction output increased by 24% and is discussed in detail in the next section.Manufacturing output increased by 11%, with manufacture of transport, machinery, textiles and plastic the strongest growth areas. Services recovered by 8%, led by the wholesale and retail trade as shops reopened. Overall, in June construction output remained 25% down from February, with services – 18%, manufacturing – 14% and production – 12%. Other economic indicators The labour market weakened further in July according to the ONS: 730,000 fewer people were on company payrolls compared to March, a monthly fall of 81,000. The total number of paid employees is now 2.2% lower than July 2019. However, the unemployment rate remained low at 3.9%. That indicates that most people who have lost jobs are not actively looking for work. The proportion of people moving to inactivity has reached an all-time high. These numbers are concerning since as people become inactive, they lose contact with the world of work, losing skills needed to find employment. Prison conversion: The former Kingston Prison in Portsmouth will be converted into 73 flats and will include a commercial unit. Project value: £10 million. Homes England development: 153 houses will be built in Dronfield, Derbyshire which will include mix of 50 two-bed, 84 three-bed and 19 four-bed properties with access and landscaping. Project value: £15.3 million.

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