This week forecasters are predicting that the UK will enter a recession in the 4th quarter of the year and global climate change issues are compounding the inflationary effects of energy prices, product supply and war. The West Midlands is being buffeted and affected by these impacts, the region particularly hit by fuel and energy … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor – 2nd September 2022”
Author: Anne Green
West Midlands Impact Monitor – 19th August 2022
This week has seen rapidly rising inflation globally and a return to double-digit inflation in the UK for the first time in 40 years. Extreme weather events continue to cause concern, with drought conditions in parts of Europe, low river levels and wildfires. With athletes leaving Birmingham, attention is focused on capitalising on the impact … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor – 19th August 2022”
West Midlands Impact Monitor- 5th August 2022
This week has seen a more pessimistic growth outlook from the IMF and rising geopolitical tensions between the USA and China over Taiwan. In sporting news, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are underway and the England women’s football team were victorious in the Euro 2022 competition. Global growth outlook The IMF has reduced their global … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 5th August 2022”
West Midlands Impact Monitor- 22nd July 2022
This week has seen the UK’s previously highest temperature record smashed with temperatures in excess of 40C recorded. Wildfires have raged across many parts of Europe. Inflation has been rising globally. In the UK the cost of living crisis has intensified as inflation hit 9.4% for the 12 months to June 2022. Record temperatures Wildfires … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 22nd July 2022”
A Partnership Approach: The Role of Employment Support and Skills in Levelling Up
Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates aims to get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WMREDI staff look at the government’s flagship policy – Levelling Up. We look at the challenge of implementing, understanding and measuring levelling up. In this blog, Professor Anne Green and Dr Abigail Taylor discuss the key … Continue reading “A Partnership Approach: The Role of Employment Support and Skills in Levelling Up”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 24th June 2022
The latest Purchasing Managers Index has left confidence falling to a 19-month low, but some firms remained upbeat due to new product launches, marketing efforts and expansion plans to support output over the course of the coming year. Business optimism was generally restricted due to acute inflationary pressures, issues with transportation, a challenging economic climate, … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 24th June 2022”
Over 50s in the Labour Market
Professor Anne Green discusses the fall in labour market participation for the over-50s in the UK and the West Midlands, the barriers they face accessing learning and employment and how we can help them back into the workforce. Introduction With the number of vacancies nationally outstripping the numbers of unemployed people and many employers facing … Continue reading “Over 50s in the Labour Market”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10th June 2022
This fortnight the key data release is the long awaited GVA for 2020, which is the first one to reflect the impact of Covid-19. The region has kept its economy above the £100bn mark but dropped to £102bn, a decrease of 4.5% (generally across all GVA indicators the region performs poorly against the UK). This … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10th June 2022”
West Midlands Impact Monitor- 27th May 2022
China’s economy is slowing, the US economy is hampered by a tight jobs market and Europe is struggling with labour shortages and a cost of living crisis. In the UK the increase in energy bills is contributing to the rising cost of living, and the West Midlands has a greater proportion of households in fuel … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 27th May 2022”
West Midlands Impact Monitor- 13th May 2022
High inflation rates are combining with slower economic growth. The rising cost of living remains a key concern. These trends are partly fuelled by war in Ukraine, with geopolitical tensions heightening as Sweden and Finland sign new security deals with European allies. Regionally, the West Midlands Business Activity Index has decreased. But the picture is … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 13th May 2022”