BT adds £1.5 billion to the region’s economy
BT is supporting more than 21,700 jobs across the West Midlands, a report says.
The independent report by consultancy firm Hatch also found the group is contributing £1.5 billion annually to the region’s economy including £112 million to Shropshire, £61m to Worcestershire, £188m to the Black Country and £120m to Staffordshire.
The Economic Impact of BT Group in the UK report calculates the communications and technology company generated more than £24bn in gross value added for the UK economy during the last financial year.
BT’s spend with contractors and suppliers, and the spending power of its employees, are responsible for supporting thousands of jobs in the West Midlands.
Its contribution to the economy has continued during Covid-19 pandemic and BT Group employs one in every 12 working in the IT and communications sector in the region.
Its annual supply chain spend in the West Midlands amounts to £636m, which includes firms in the retail, construction and telecommunications industries.
Across the region it directly employs 5,470, with a further 600 as contractors. There are 746 BT Group staff and contractors living Shropshire, 543 in Worcestershire, in the 1,020 in the Black Country and 1,080 in Staffordshire.
And in Shropshire, 1,010 jobs are supported through direct, indirect and induced effects in total, with 677 in Worcestershire, 2,420 in the Black Country and 1,370 in Staffordshire.
BT Group has broadband and mobile networks spanning from the Scilly Isles to Shetland, built and maintained by some of the 82,800 direct employees it has in the UK.
The company plans to move into a brand-new regional hub at Three Snowhill, Birmingham, this year and unveiled plans to recruit 51 apprentices and graduates in the city for its September 2021 intake.
