West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 29th January 2021

Whilst many countries start to roll back some of their Covid-19 restrictions and are seeing consumer spend bounce back, the UK is still under lockdown conditions. This week the UK reached a bleak milestone, with the total number of Covid-19 deaths reaching 100,000. This makes the UK the fifth country and first in Europe to … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 29th January 2021”

Inequalities and the COVID-19 Crisis

Professor Anne Green examines education, work, health, ethnic and generational inequalities in the West Midlands before and after the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.   Introduction In 2019 the Nuffield Foundation funded a major study, chaired by Sir Angus Deaton, to assemble the evidence on the causes and consequences of different forms of inequalities, and the … Continue reading “Inequalities and the COVID-19 Crisis”

Workshop Series: Megatrends and Cities – Understanding the Future

In 2020 The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has published the Annual State of the Region report in collaboration with WMREDI partners. This identified a number of major trends which will affect the region in the future. The WMCA and partners are now exploring trends in more detail in collaboration with City-REDI (in part supported … Continue reading “Workshop Series: Megatrends and Cities – Understanding the Future”

Birmingham on the World Stage: The Attractiveness of the City Before and After the Pandemic

Rebecca Riley on what Birmingham needs to do to remain an attractive place to live and visit, ensuring the centre and surrounding areas remain vibrant and thriving. This blog post has been produced to provide insight into the findings of the Birmingham Economic Review. The Birmingham Economic Review 2020 is produced by City-REDI / WM … Continue reading “Birmingham on the World Stage: The Attractiveness of the City Before and After the Pandemic”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 22nd January 2021

This week we have seen significant changes in the USA with the inauguration of the 46th President; this could signal changing relationships which are yet to be understood. The current lockdown is adding uncertainty to business planning and forecasting, the impacts of the new EU trade deal are continuing to unfold, resulting in demonstrations by … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 22nd January 2021”

Brexit Deal: What Is New for the Regions?

After eight months of negotiations, the UK and EU agreed on a new Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles examines what the Brexit deal means for the UK and its regions.    This blog was first posted on the Birmingham Brief site.  On 24 December 2020, after eight months of negotiations, the UK and … Continue reading “Brexit Deal: What Is New for the Regions?”

The Black Country LEP Area – A Profile

Dr Abigail Taylor provides an economic snapshot of the Black Country LEP area following the five foundations of the Industrial Strategy: Ideas, People, Infrastructure, Business Environment and Place. As part of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory work, WM REDI and the Black Country Consortium Economic Intelligence Unit developed Local Economic Partnership (LEP) level profiles. We … Continue reading “The Black Country LEP Area – A Profile”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 15th January 2021

This week we have seen continuing unrest in the USA as the administration changes, increasing infection rates globally and turmoil as Brexit impacts continue to unfold in the short-term. Below is a summary of the key issues this week which influence and shape the policy issues in the region. In the USA thousands of Trump … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 15th January 2021”

The Birmingham and Solihull LEP Area – A Profile

Dr Abigail Taylor provides an economic snapshot of the Birmingham and Solihull LEP area following the five foundations of the Industrial Strategy: Ideas, People, Infrastructure, Business Environment and Place. As part of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory work, WM REDI and the Black Country Consortium Economic Intelligence Unit developed Local Economic Partnership (LEP) level profiles. … Continue reading “The Birmingham and Solihull LEP Area – A Profile”

Regional Resilience: The Co-dependence of Business and Regions in Recovery

This article was written by Professor Simon Collinson for the National Centre for Universities and Business’ seventh annual assessment of the health of collaborative partnerships – The State of the Relationship Report 2020.  The article reflects on regional specialisms, the unequal impact of the disruptions of 2020 and the value of analysis of regional economies. … Continue reading “Regional Resilience: The Co-dependence of Business and Regions in Recovery”