Young People Into Work

Professor Anne Green looks at how the pandemic has impacted young people’s experiences of work, the support available to enhance job prospects and how employers can help by playing a key role. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, … Continue reading “Young People Into Work”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 18 February 2022

This week commentary has focused on the Levelling Up White Paper, and the WMCA forecast provider Oxford Economics’ latest summary looks at the impact on UK cities and regions. Their assessment is: “The Levelling Up White Paper contains nothing to cause us to revise our forecasts for the UK’s various nations and regions, let alone … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 18 February 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 4 February 2022

The long-awaited Levelling Up White Paper was published on 2 February, setting out 12 missions: living standards, R&D, transport infrastructure, digital connectivity, education, skills, health, well-being, pride in place, housing, crime and local leadership. Domestically, ‘partygate’ has been dominating the news agenda: on 31 January the Cabinet Office published Sue Gray’s Update Report on the … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 4 February 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 21 January 2022

Infection rates from the Omicron variant remain high but are falling. On 19 January it was announced that England’s Plan B measures would end from 27 January, with use of mandatory face coverings in public places and Covid passports both discontinued, while the advice for people to work from home has been dropped with immediate … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 21 January 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 7 January 2022

This week we have seen infections from the Omicron variant rise to new highs. Plan B restrictions remain in place and the NHS and other frontline services are under strain. The hospitality and live events sectors have lost crucial income over the Christmas and New Year trading period. Concerns about inflation continue, including as a … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 7 January 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 29 October 2021

Economic news this week has been dominated by the Budget and Spending Review in the UK. Preparations are ongoing for COP 26 in Glasgow, and the increased profile of the climate emergency is causing businesses to consider their carbon footprint, and take steps to mitigate its growth. Businesses remain concerned about rising cost pressures and … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 29 October 2021”

Covid-19 and the Future Business District

In this blog, Anne Green, Rebecca Riley, Alex Smith, Ben Brittain and Hannes Read examine the long-term impact of Covid-19 on business districts. How can they continue to be successful places attracting business and people and contributing to vibrant city centres? This blog is the summary from the Future Business District report – visit the … Continue reading “Covid-19 and the Future Business District”

Meeting the Skills Needs of the Space Sector

Professor Anne Green outlines the skills shortage in the space sector, the types of skills needed, how the industry can attract a wider pool of recruits and what opportunities are available in the West Midlands and beyond. This blog has been produced to provide insight into a City-REDI / WMREDI project looking at the development … Continue reading “Meeting the Skills Needs of the Space Sector”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 3rd September 2021

Global news has been dominated by the departure of allied forces from Afghanistan. Nationally, the number of daily new Covid-19 cases per million people confirmed in the UK remains easily the highest out of the selected European countries and is at a level slightly above that recorded for the USA. Economically disruption to supply chains … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 3rd September 2021”

Four propositions for the Much-Anticipated Levelling Up White Paper

Will Rossiter,  Anne Green and Rebecca Riley discuss new research that identifies a number of challenges for the upcoming Levelling Up White Paper.  Recent research from City-REDI/ WMREDI at the University of Birmingham and Nottingham Business School at Nottingham Trent University on the geography and functioning of places and the institutions, practice and policies associated … Continue reading “Four propositions for the Much-Anticipated Levelling Up White Paper”