The economy of Brighton and Hove is growing faster than the regional and national average, according to official figures.
The economy expanded by 5 per cent in 2013 compared with 3 per cent regionally and nationally, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The value of goods and services produced per head went up by 3.75 per cent while the national figure was 2.5 per cent and the figure for the south east was 2 per cent.
And the ONS said that, based on figures from 2012, the top sectors driving growth were production, which increased by nearly 20 per cent, or an additional £55 million. Of this sum, manufacturing accounted for an extra £21 million, a rise of 14 per cent.
Information technology grew by 15.5 per cent, adding £55 million to the economy.
Public administration, education and health rose by 7.2 per cent, boosting the city by £96 million.
A member of Brighton and Hove City Council, Geoffrey Bowden, welcomed the figures.
Councillor Bowden, the chairman of the council’s Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “This is very encouraging. National studies have identified Brighton and Hove as having potential to lead the way out of recession because of its strengths in the high-tech industries of the future. That sector is showing really strong growth.
“The council and neighbouring authorities are busy trying to encourage that through initiatives like the City Deal.
“The signs are that we’re as attractive to businesses as we are to tourists.
“But we must remember that these growth figures do not tell us how increased wealth is distributed.
“Making sure that the economy is as inclusive as possible, offering opportunities to all, continues to be our goal.”
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