Workshop Series: Megatrends and Cities – Understanding the Future

In 2020 The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has published the Annual State of the Region report in collaboration with WMREDI partners. This identified a number of major trends which will affect the region in the future. The WMCA and partners are now exploring trends in more detail in collaboration with City-REDI (in part supported … Continue reading “Workshop Series: Megatrends and Cities – Understanding the Future”

The Economic Geography of the West Midlands

The State of the Region report provides an in-depth look at West Midlands, its past performance, the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit and what the future might hold. The report was developed and supported by the WM REDI partnership to help deepen our knowledge and understanding of the region.   Find out more and download a … Continue reading “The Economic Geography of the West Midlands”

Changes to the UK Immigration System After the Brexit Transition Period

Professor Anne Green discusses how Brexit, recession and COVID-19 will impact immigration to the UK and create an unpredictable situation where some sectors and occupations may struggle to meet their labour and skills needs.  This is part two of a blog series on International Travel, Migration and Immigration. View the first blog.  Summary Recession and … Continue reading “Changes to the UK Immigration System After the Brexit Transition Period”

COVID-19 and the Impact on International Mobility and Migration

In this blog, Professor Anne Green discusses the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions which have led to a marked reduction in international travel and immigration to the UK. It has also disrupted the collection of statistics on international travel and immigration. Across various indicators, there has been a reduction in immigration to the UK. … Continue reading “COVID-19 and the Impact on International Mobility and Migration”

Labour Market Challenges: The Impact of COVID-19 on Ethnic Minority Groups in Birmingham

Professor Anne Green discusses the labour market challenges ethnic minority groups in Birmingham faced before COVID-19 and how the virus has exacerbated these issues. This blog post has been produced to provide insight into the findings of the Birmingham Economic Review. The Birmingham Economic Review 2020 is produced by City-REDI / WM REDI, University of … Continue reading “Labour Market Challenges: The Impact of COVID-19 on Ethnic Minority Groups in Birmingham”

Social Housing, Employment and the Economy

In this blog, Professor Anne Green discusses a report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Housing and Social Mobility called “Improving Opportunities: How to support social housing tenants into sustainable employment”, which was released in October. The report outlines the role that social housing providers can play in supporting households and communities into … Continue reading “Social Housing, Employment and the Economy”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 30th October 2020

The context this week is one of rising infections across Europe and national and local restrictions and lockdowns. The Job Retention Scheme is ending this week and is replaced by a new scheme that aims to protect viable jobs in businesses facing lower demand over the next six months. Concerns about unemployment and redundancy continue. … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 30th October 2020”

Tackling Worklessness: A Focus on Young People

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates is a bi-annual publication which will get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WM REDI staff and guest contributors will discuss some of the key topics when trying to understand the long-term economic impacts of the pandemic. In this article, Professor Anne Green looks at youth … Continue reading “Tackling Worklessness: A Focus on Young People”

Homeworking and the Return to the Office – Part One

In the first part of a blog looking at home working and the return to the office, Professor Anne Green and Rebecca Riley look at what kind of workers are homeworking, regional differences around the UK, what the situation is in the West Midlands and whether home working impacts on productivity.  Part two looks at … Continue reading “Homeworking and the Return to the Office – Part One”

Good Work and the COVID-19 Crisis

In this blog, Professor Anne Green looks at the concept of ‘Good Work’, exploring the varying definitions, and its impact on both employers and employees and what they can both do to influence the situation. Context In 2019 national employment rates rose to historically high levels. In Great Britain, the employment rate for 16-64 year … Continue reading “Good Work and the COVID-19 Crisis”