In a new blog series, originally published by the National Civic Impact Accelerator, Alice Pugh explores how civic universities assess their local impact, and why reframing economic assessments is key to capturing civic and regional contributions. Civic universities are universities which are embedded within their local area, they are rooted within a town, city and/or … Continue reading “Demonstrating the Economic Impacts of Civic Universities”
Author: Alice Pugh
Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Financial, Commercial and Managerial Cases
In a series of blogs, originally published by the National Civic Impact Accelerator, Alice Pugh explores the financial, commercial, and management cases in business case development, focusing on affordability, procurement, and delivery strategy. Financial Case The purpose of the financial case within the business case is to demonstrate the affordability and funding of the preferred option, … Continue reading “Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Financial, Commercial and Managerial Cases”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 29th October 2025
International instability, uncertainty and protectionism continued to impact not just the global economy but the UK economy, with current and future business activity in decline, as a result of reduced confidence in the consumer markets globally. Prices continue to rise nationally, with consumer price inflation CPI rising 3.8% in the year to September 2025. Global … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 29th October 2025”
Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Strategic and Economic Cases
In a new blog series, originally published by the National Civic Impact Accelerator, Alice Pugh explores how universities can build effective business cases for civic work, funding bids, and public sector partnerships. Strategic Case This is the first blog covering two of the 5 sections of the business case. The purpose of this strategic case is … Continue reading “Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Strategic and Economic Cases”
What is a Business Case? Why are they Important to Universities?
In a series of Blogs, originally published by the National Civic Impact Accelerator, Alice Pugh looks at the importance of Business Case Studies to Universities. Business cases often used to show there is a compelling and worthwhile case to initiate a viable project. All projects should show their value for money, added value, viability and … Continue reading “What is a Business Case? Why are they Important to Universities?”
What is the anticipated impact of the Spring Statement 2025?
There were few new announcements in this Spring Statement, the most significant announcements have been in changes to benefits and welfare. Below sets out the government current fiscal plans and their impact following the spring statement discussed by Alice Pugh. Benefits and Welfare There have been significant changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) and Universal … Continue reading “What is the anticipated impact of the Spring Statement 2025?”
The Spring Statement 2025
In her first Spring Statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made few announcements. The Spring Statement has had few new policy and fiscal announcements; however, this is not too unusual for the Spring Statement. There will be more announcements around departmental spending in June following a spending review. Alice Pugh looks at the key … Continue reading “The Spring Statement 2025”
Demonstrating the Economic Impacts of Civic Universities
Alice Pugh discusses the need for universities to improve how they measure and assess their civic and economic impact, particularly in relation to regional inequalities. It critiques current impact assessments for being overly prescriptive and lacking a clear rationale, urging universities to integrate these assessments into strategic frameworks and develop more dynamic, locally contextualized evaluations … Continue reading “Demonstrating the Economic Impacts of Civic Universities”
Birmingham Economic Review 2024: A Year of Hope and Recovery
Alice Pugh, Emily Stubbs, and Gemma Dilkes summarise the key points in this year’s Birmingham Economic Review, produced by City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. The review highlights the ongoing recovery of the Greater Birmingham Economy that the city-region has been experiencing, during a period of UK and global political uncertainty. Highlighting both … Continue reading “Birmingham Economic Review 2024: A Year of Hope and Recovery”
Key Announcements From the Autumn Budget 2024
Alice Pugh provides a breakdown of the key announcements in the first Labour budget since 2010. This budget will also be the first delivered by the first female Chancellor of the UK. OBR Economic Fiscal Outlook Today the budget economic forecasts for the next 5 years are released by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). … Continue reading “Key Announcements From the Autumn Budget 2024”