FirstGroup’s transport operations add £1.44 billion to UK economy

The activities of FirstGroup’s UK rail and bus operations added £1.44 billion ‘extra value’ to the UK economy, a new independent report reveals.

It also saved the UK economy £1.3bn by reducing congestion, and generated 93 million more miles walked by people from their homes to railway stations and bus stops - which they wouldn’t have done if they used a car.

A major UK employer (17,500 in rail and 13,500 in bus), FirstGroup serves two-thirds of the country’s 15 largest conurbations. One-third of its employment is within the 25% of local authority districts that have the highest rates of unemployment.

The report reveals that FirstGroup spent £2.44bn on goods and services provided by other UK firms during the financial year ending March 31.

As a result, FirstGroup supports a further 34,500 jobs in the supply chain and the wider economy thanks to spending by employees associated directly or indirectly with FirstGroup activities.

For every ten jobs directly generated by FirstGroup in the UK, a further 13.1 jobs are supported in the wider economy.

The Social Value report, produced with the Centre for Economics and Business Research, demonstrates the economic, social and environmental value added by FirstGroup’s businesses across the UK.

The term ’social value’ defines the wider economic, social and environmental effects of an organisation and its actions.

An organisation adds social value by contributing to the long-term wellbeing and resilience of individuals, communities and society in general.

FirstGroup CEO Graham Sutherland says: “The essential services we provide are critical to delivering wider economic, social and environmental goals.

“This report demonstrates how we support prosperity, growth and jobs in the communities we serve, but also the vital role we play in reducing congestion on the roads, improving air quality and facilitating the transition to a zerocarbon world.”