Welcome to the final monitor of 2020. The monitor was established at the start of the pandemic to look at the impacts as they unfolded and to bring together any available information from across partners. We had not envisaged at the start that this would still be needed thirty-nine weeks later. The WM REDI partners … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 18th December 2020”
Author: Rebecca Riley
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 11th December 2020
This week, the first Covid-19 vaccination in the world was carried out in the West Midlands. Although there are signs of optimism following this, longer-term uncertainty over the Brexit deal continues. European equity futures have risen following stocks rising in much of Asia and the U.S. S&P 500 closed at an all-time high. In Washington, Treasury Secretary … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 11th December 2020”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 4th December 2020
This week the national lockdown ended and areas have reverted back to tiers. The West Midlands is in tier 3, the highest tier with most restrictions. This is forcing the continued closure or reduced functioning of many businesses specifically in hospitality, tourism and retail. As Brexit draws closer businesses are raising more issues and concerns … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 4th December 2020”
The West Midlands – State of the Region 2020
The State of the Region was published earlier this year. The report provides an in-depth look at West Midlands, it’s 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. … Continue reading “The West Midlands – State of the Region 2020”
The Green Book User Group – Strong Foundations for Better Intervention Development
Rebecca Riley discusses the formation of the Green Book User Group and an event to launch the latest Green Book. This blog was first published on the Government Finance Function website. The Green Book is a great tool for better decision-making, not a compliance code. Yet we all often hear the term “Green Book compliant” … Continue reading “The Green Book User Group – Strong Foundations for Better Intervention Development”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 27th November 2020
This week the Chancellor announced the Spending Review, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its latest forecast and the Treasury has launched the new Green Book. The UK economy is expected to shrink by 11.3% this year – the largest fall in output for 300 years. Covid-19 will leave “long-term scarring” and the economy … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 27th November 2020”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 20th November 2020
This week the development of vaccines is signalling a positive change, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s most recent forecasts, global growth is expected to be around 5.2% during 2021 based on the assumption that social distancing would gradually fade away as new Covid-19 vaccines are being developed. It’s worth noting that, following the … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 20th November 2020”
The Future of Data Across Regions
This blog, by Rebecca Riley, focuses on the advantages and pitfalls of data analytics, looking into how to ensure we get the most out of it, the struggles that staff face in keeping up with its rapid evolution and how best to resource it. On the 10th November, I presented at the 2020 Open Data … Continue reading “The Future of Data Across Regions”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 13th November 2020
This week we see cases continuing to rise and the adjustment to Lockdown 2. In terms of wellbeing, nationally, people are feeling the least satisfied with life since March, they are suffering the largest drop in how they feel about the things they do in their lives, anxiety levels are on the rise and happiness … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 13th November 2020”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 6th November 2020
This week Britain looks on course to enter a double-dip recession this winter, as business surveys show economic growth almost halted last month even before the latest England-wide lockdown was announced, according to financial data company IHS Markit. Business service activity rise is much softer than September, new orders have declined for the first time … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 6th November 2020”