The Potential Impact of Youth Social Prescribing in the West Midlands on Employment and the Economy: Final Report and Evaluation Framework

Joanne Mills and Rachel Hopley from the University of Wolverhampton have designed an evaluation framework to help identify the potential impact of youth social prescribing within the West Midlands on employment and the economy. They have written this blog to give an update on the Institute for Community Research and Development’s recent project with WMREDI … Continue reading “The Potential Impact of Youth Social Prescribing in the West Midlands on Employment and the Economy: Final Report and Evaluation Framework”

Economic Inactivity in the West Midlands

Anne Green examines rates of economic inactivity in the West Midlands. Who is inactive and why?  This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review 2023. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy of England’s … Continue reading “Economic Inactivity in the West Midlands”

A Stay of Execution: The Desperate Situation of the Hospitality Sector

1 in 18 licenced premises have been lost between June 2022 and June 2023. Anne-Marie Simpson, Owner of Simpsons Gin Bar, discusses her experiences as a business owner in tough economic times.  This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review 2023. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and … Continue reading “A Stay of Execution: The Desperate Situation of the Hospitality Sector”

Money Talks – Reassessing Transport Priorities Following HS2

Magda Cepeda-Zorrilla and Donald Houston discuss how transport priorities have changed following HS2. They argue that buses are good value for taxpayers, important to those who do not have any other form of transport and can foster inclusive economic growth. In England, public support for bus operators and users totalled £3.1 billion in 2021-22 – … Continue reading “Money Talks – Reassessing Transport Priorities Following HS2”

The Autumn Statement 2023: The Impacts

Alice Pugh looks at the impact of the Autumn Budget on households, businesses and public services. View Alice’s previous blog on this topic – Key Announcements Autumn Statement 2023 Household Impact  The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found that the changes to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for employees and the self-employed, will only give … Continue reading “The Autumn Statement 2023: The Impacts”

Autumn Statement 2023 – Key Announcements

Alice Pugh looks at the OBR Economic Fiscal Outlook and breaks down the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement announcement from yesterday. On the day of the budget economic forecasts for the next 5 years are released by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). These forecasts are important as they show the impact that the new Autumn statement … Continue reading “Autumn Statement 2023 – Key Announcements”

Occupier Demand in the West Midlands

Charles Toogood, Principal and Managing Director for National Offices and Lease Advisory Team, Avison Young, discusses factors impacting occupier demand in the West Midlands. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review 2023. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “Occupier Demand in the West Midlands”

Inflation Highs Coming Down

Figures released by the ONS last week indicate that Consumer Price Inflation has reduced to 4.6%. Alice Pugh discusses what has caused inflation to fall and what it means for consumers. It has been a year since the consumer price inflation (CPI) index reached its highest rate in over 40 years, at 11.1% in October … Continue reading “Inflation Highs Coming Down”

The Midlands Recruitment Sector in 2023

Jack Stockport, Business Technology Manager from SF Recruitment discusses some of the key factors behind the encouraging performance of the Midlands recruitment sector. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review 2023. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an … Continue reading “The Midlands Recruitment Sector in 2023”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 17 November 2023

This month continues to be turbulent. Conflict in the Middle East, unstable UK politics and continued stagnation of the economy. Whilst the economy is showing some resilience, prospects for growth remain low and rising global tensions are increasing worries of global shocks to already sensitive energy markets. The baseline forecast is for global growth to … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 17 November 2023”