West Midlands Economic Monitor: March 2020

March’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. This month’s monitor shows: PMI softened in February, but still depicted growth, and the claimant count has increased by over 20,000 people since last year. The global COVID-19 pandemic is beginning … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: March 2020”

#Budget2020: Did the West Midlands Win Anything?

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has now delivered his much-anticipated budget. It is the first UK budget since 2018 and has been given ahead of a Bank of England Rate interest rate cut from 0.75% to 0.25%. But, what will it mean for the regions of the UK, and more importantly what will it mean for … Continue reading “#Budget2020: Did the West Midlands Win Anything?”

Birmingham Has yet to Embrace Tolkien – Why?

Tolkien and his works are inextricably linked to Birmingham, and hints of Middle-earth can be found across the region. He grew up in Kings Heath, a suburb of the city, and spent a considerable amount of time in Hall Green, home to Moseley Bog, believed to be the inspiration for Fangorn Forest. The city captured … Continue reading “Birmingham Has yet to Embrace Tolkien – Why?”

West Midlands Economic Monitor: February 2020

February’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. This month shows that regional PMI data has rebounded to growth, whilst economic growth in Q2 2018 – Q2 2019 was mostly due to service sector contraction. House-building is at a … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: February 2020”

WM REDI Launch Shows the Region Is Ready to Rise to the Challenge

An exciting new University of Birmingham research institute, the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WM REDI) was launched on Monday 3rd February. It is an unprecedented partnership between key regional organisations and stakeholders, who have come together to find ways to deliver an effective inclusive growth vision and meet the economic challenges and opportunities … Continue reading “WM REDI Launch Shows the Region Is Ready to Rise to the Challenge”

West Midlands Economic Monitor: December 2019

December’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. The headlines for this month’s monitor are: Headline West Midlands business activity—accounting for services and manufacturing—has fallen to 49.4, returning to contraction In 2018/19 there were 31,740 apprenticeship starts across the … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: December 2019”

West Midlands Economic Monitor: November 2019

November’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. The headlines for this month’s monitor are: Headline West Midlands business activity—accounting for services and manufacturing—has risen to 50.6, the second-highest in the country, behind London. The West Midlands was one … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: November 2019”

Launch of the Birmingham Economic Review 2019

  This year’s Birmingham Economic Review shows Birmingham is on a roll, but challenges around income inequality and deprivation remain.   This year’s Birmingham Economic Review – a collaboration between Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and City-REDI – was launched last week to a packed room of delegates from across the city-region. The event was … Continue reading “Launch of the Birmingham Economic Review 2019”

West Midlands Economic Monitor: October 2019

October’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. The headlines for this month’s monitor are: The WMCA have signed a contract to order 21 new battery-operated trams to operate on the new Edgbaston line making the region. They will … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: October 2019”

Is the Government Going to ‘Make Buses Great Again’?

At the Conservative Party Conference, the Government seemed adamant to talk about buses. But, for what reason would the Government want to make buses a key transport-policy subject? At the conference, the Chancellor, Sajid Javid, proclaimed; “Buses haven’t been given the attention they deserve from politicians. But they are still the backbone of our public transport … Continue reading “Is the Government Going to ‘Make Buses Great Again’?”