The new report outlining the predicted growth in Bradford’s workforce and jobs by 2020 shows how much more needs to be done to reduce the number of jobless.

While it is expected that the number of jobs will grow by 16,000, the workforce will grow by 18,200 at the same time – and for the city to reach the national average for employment, it would need to be creating 31,600 new jobs.

But, even though the figures show an increase in the workforce greater than the number of jobs, it does mean the actual percentage rate of unemployment will have fallen – although it will still have some way to go to get close to the national level.

So it is a small step in the right direction, but the report to the Council’s Regeneration and Economy Scrutiny Committee today highlights why it is important that all those involved in bringing investment into the city need to be working much more pro-actively to try to attract new businesses.

Some of that growth will have to come from new start-ups, but it is also vital to try to draw in established firms with some of the incentives on offer through the City Centre Growth Zone. To reach even the estimated figure, thousands of jobs a year have to be created – and as the report says, that will still leave the district some way behind the national average, so ideally we need to be aiming higher.

There are certainly plenty of sites available now, particularly in the city. It is vital that the Council carries on the excellent work of initiatives like its Producer City strategy and continues to take the lead in promoting growth zone opportunities to outside investors to ensure that the expected jobs growth estimate is exceeded and we get more of the district’s unemployed back in work.