We keep hearing this figure of 15,000 jobs being created through MediaCityUK…It says it everywhere…on MediaCityUK's website: "Employing over 15,000 people…MediaCityUK is transforming the face of media provision in the UK...". It says it on Central Salford's publicity: `Vitals: 15,500 jobs'…The Learning and Skills Council states that the "move of the BBC to Salford Quays, and the mediacity:uk developments are estimated to bring 15,000 new jobs to the city". Even Trafford Council's website says "mediacity:uk will create jobs for 15,500 people". 

The figure has also been lovingly repeated and presented as fact by the media and property companies. The Salford Advertiser wrote "it's predicted 15,500 jobs will be created" (10.8.06)…The Manchester Evening News wrote…"The 200-acre site will create 15,000 jobs in the film, TV and creative media industries" (23.6.08)…Luxury homes sellers have joined in with the job bonanza…"Media City will create 15,000 new jobs in 2011" (Move Channel)…"Once completed, the 200 acre site will…bring more than 15,000 new jobs to the area" (LPCLiving)…"15000 new jobs will be created" (Quay Property Investments).

How The Figures Break Down

We asked to see how this figure of 15,000+ jobs was arrived at. Central Salford URC sent us the MediaCity UK Economic Impact: Overview…

15,000 New Jobs? Nowhere on the Overview does it say that 15,000 jobs will be created in MediaCityUK (MC:UK). What it does say is that MC:UK `will eventually house 15,000 jobs'  which we assume means that if companies relocate onto the site bringing their workforce with them and fill every bit of available space there will be 15,000+ people working there.

10,500 New Jobs? The Overview does state that 10,500 new jobs will be created but only 7000 of them will be `net local additional jobs'.

7,000 New Jobs ? Yes, but not in Salford. These are new jobs spread out over the whole North West.

3,250 New Jobs? Bingo! Central Salford URC said "At a local Salford level approximately 3250 net additional jobs will be created as a result of MediaCityUK".

So where did they get the figure of 15,500 jobs?

Central Salford URC said "The 7000 net additional jobs around the north west is derived from the 10,500 gross direct jobs less leakage, displacement, multiplier effects and deadweight.  The remaining 5000 jobs that result in a figure of 15,500 are those that are considered to be safeguarded and are excluded from the calculation of net additional employment.

"The figures are based upon a comparison of the costs and benefits of MediaCityUK with a reference case to establish the net additional impacts arising from the proposed scheme, taking into account leakage, displacement and substitution, multiplier effects and deadweight.  The assessment was completed in March 2006."

see the continuation of this story in Issue 8 http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=31