Submission of Evidence to BIS Select Committee: Powerhouses and engines: Government policy and regional growth

In March  this year, the Business, Innovation and Skills House of Commons Select Committee launched an Inquiry looking into the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine “Powerhouses and engines: Government policy and regional growth”. The two main powerhouses at the centre of this Inquiry are Government manifesto commitments as set out at the 2015 General Election. … Continue reading “Submission of Evidence to BIS Select Committee: Powerhouses and engines: Government policy and regional growth”

Manufacturing in Greater Birmingham – is it pulling its weight?

Our first guest blog from Patrick Willcocks, policy commentator focused on cities and their economic and environmental policy issues (UrbanPivot); a teaching fellow at the UoB Business school focusing on Europe and regional development and a private consultant working on EU funding and policy. A couple of things triggered this blog post – my inaugural … Continue reading “Manufacturing in Greater Birmingham – is it pulling its weight?”

Are you listening Sir Bob – Birmingham wins the RCUK Urban Living Partnership Call – a new big boost towards Birmingham as the collaborative future city

Richard Kenny is Head of Strategic Development at Birmingham City Council and has joined the City REDI team on secondment at the Business School, University of Birmingham. Here he narrates some of the journey so far in responding to this Call and tries to put his finger on Birmingham’s initial success in engaging with RCUK … Continue reading “Are you listening Sir Bob – Birmingham wins the RCUK Urban Living Partnership Call – a new big boost towards Birmingham as the collaborative future city”

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”