The Next Steps for the Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine

On 1 June 2016  the West Midlands  Combined Authority comes into effect. With that in mind,Insider hosted an event at Birmingham Business School to explore the next steps for the Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine. The first panel featured Katie Trout, Chief Executive of the GBSLEP; Anne Lucas, Coventry City Council; Henrietta Brealey, Director of … Continue reading “The Next Steps for the Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine”

New City REDI member Richard Kenny on devolution and the economy

Devolution can only work when the economy fully works– so making it work and provide for all is going to remain the central question facing cities and regions – time to get City REDI, argues Richard Kenny. Richard Kenny is Head of Strategic Development at Birmingham City Council and has just joined the City REDI … Continue reading “New City REDI member Richard Kenny on devolution and the economy”

Taxing Regional Economic Growth: Business Rates, Retail and Local Multipliers

By Prof. John Bryson, City-Region Economic Development Institute, University of Birmingham   The UK developed a centralised economy during the 1940s in response to a major crisis. The fall-out from World War II led to a period of shortage and restrictions on raw materials that were finally removed in 1954. The centralization of the British state that intensified … Continue reading “Taxing Regional Economic Growth: Business Rates, Retail and Local Multipliers”