Thames Valley

The Thames Valley generally implies the region that drains into the River Thames (the Thames catchment), from west of Cirencester to London but is used in a more specific term by the government.

In its more specific sense, as used in the name of Thames Valley Police, it refers to the areas of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Economy

The Thames Valley economy was valued at $63 billion in 2007. [ [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/88b004a4-1011-11dd-8871-0000779fd2ac,dwp_uuid=cc6ff820-1011-11dd-8871-0000779fd2ac.html Thames Valley economy tops £32 billion in 2007] ]

In the last quarter of 20th century, the historic industries of beer, biscuits and bulbs were replaced by modern knowledge-based industries, primarily information and communications technology and life sciences.

The direct labour force amounts to 641,000 people, but the total workforce within an hour of the Thames Valley towns is close to 3.7 million.

Since 2002, the Thames Valley has been the UK’s fastest growing region, averaging 3.5 per cent economic growth after inflation, well ahead of the 2.5 per cent national average.

Productivity is high, averaging £49,000 per worker in 2006, £8,600 higher than the south-east average. The workforce is skilled: 29 per cent of employment is in the knowledge economy, compared with the national average of 17 per cent, and 37 per cent of people in employment hold a degree. One-fifth of Thames Valley workers are employed in managerial and senior positions, five points higher than the UK average.

The Thames Valley Economic Partnership is a not-for profit partnership that brings together the region's leading private and public sector organisations to promote the region's economic competitiveness.

The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce [http://www.welcometobusiness.co.uk/] covers this area, who are well known and respected in the area, and hold the top accolade of 'National chamber of the Year'. The Thames Valley Business Partnership and a Thames Valley University are also.

The area is covered by a single Britain in Bloom region called Thames and Chilterns; this term is also promoted as a tourist destination.

Law and Order

This area has had a single police force since 1968, and in 1999 acquired a single magistrates' court committee, as a merger of the previous Buckinghamshire and Berkshire & Oxfordshire committees. [http://www.tvcjb.org.uk/]

Major towns

* Abingdon
* Ascot
* Aylesbury
* Banbury
* Beaconsfield
* Bracknell
* Didcot
* Faringdon
* Henley-on-Thames
* High Wycombe
* Maidenhead
* Marlow
* Milton Keynes (in the valley of the River Great Ouse but policed by Thames Valley Police).
* Oxford
* Reading
* Slough
* Staines
* Swindon
* Wallingford
* Wantage
* Windsor
* Wokingham

The Thames Valley Economic Partnership (TVEP) is a not-for profit partnership that brings together the region's leading private and public sector organisations to promote the region's economic competitiveness by:

Lobbying for investment in infrastructure priorities Building relationships with potential and current inward investors so that they continue to build their business in the Thames Valley Promoting innovation, inspiring and connecting innovators Leading briefings and discussion on current issues affecting the Thames Valley economy

See also

* Thames Valley Harriers
* Thames Valley Police
* Thames Valley Tigers
* Thames Valley University

References

External links

* [http://www.thamesvalley.co.uk/ Thames Valley Economic Partnership]
* [http://www.thamesvalley.co.uk/inwardinvestment/ Locate Thames Valley]
* [http://www.thamesvalley.co.uk/innovate/ Innovate Thames Valley]
* [http://www.thamesvalley.com/ Thames Valley Directory]
* [http://www.thamesvalleymuseums.org.uk/ Museums in the Thames Valley]
* [http://www.thamesvalleypark.co.uk/ Thames Valley Business Park]