How Better Local Employment Support Could Help Tackle UK Labour Shortages

Abigail Taylor and Ceri Hughes discuss how a more local approach to Employment Support is needed to help tackle UK labour shortages. This blog was originally written for the conversation. This blog is also based on work conducted with Anne Green and Paul Sissons. There has been a rise in “economic inactivity” in the UK among … Continue reading “How Better Local Employment Support Could Help Tackle UK Labour Shortages”

How do Fertility Rates and Childcare Costs Play out in the UK Labour Market?

Abigail Taylor discusses fertility rates and childcare costs within the UK Labour Market comparing the findings internationally. This blog is part of a series looking at the UK Labour Market. See also: – Why are the Over-50s Leaving the Workforce?- Labour Market Flows and Future Participation Flows – What Are the Current Challenges in the … Continue reading “How do Fertility Rates and Childcare Costs Play out in the UK Labour Market?”

Addressing Regional Inequalities

Abigail Taylor discusses a recent project which examines how four city-regions have made progress in reducing regional inequality. This project is associated with our Levelling Up projects and research, you can find out more information here. This is also a collaboration project with The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), you can download … Continue reading “Addressing Regional Inequalities”

How can Universities, Colleges and Employers Deliver the Skills for Local Productivity, Innovation and Prosperity?

In this Policy Briefing, Professor Anne Green, Professor Chris Millward and Dr Abigail Taylor reflect on discussions during the Universities and Regions Forum skills seminar organised by City-REDI / WMREDI. They outline fundamental challenges which need to be addressed to improve skills systems in England. Find out more about this project. Introduction The UK is … Continue reading “How can Universities, Colleges and Employers Deliver the Skills for Local Productivity, Innovation and Prosperity?”

Perspectives on the Future of Work and Training

Abigail Taylor looks at trends that might impact the future of work and training and what this could mean for the West Midlands. This article is part of larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that are having a transformative impact on business, economy, society, … Continue reading “Perspectives on the Future of Work and Training”

Place-Based Employment Support Conference

On Thursday 16th June, 11:00-15:15, the Heseltine Institute at the University of Liverpool and City-REDI/ WMREDI at the University of Birmingham are co-hosting an event in Liverpool on the theme of Employment Support and Future Skills: Benefits of a Place-Based Approach. In the context of the government’s levelling up agenda and the opportunities and challenges … Continue reading “Place-Based Employment Support Conference”

Levelling Up: There Are International Success Stories the UK Should Look To

Welcome to REDI-Updates – providing expert data insights and clear policy guidance. In this edition, WMREDI staff look at the government’s flagship policy – Levelling Up. We look at the challenge of implementing, understanding and measuring this Levelling Up. In this blog, Dr Abigail Taylor looks at how the UK’s approach to levelling up compares … Continue reading “Levelling Up: There Are International Success Stories the UK Should Look To”

The National Minimum Wage: An International, National and Regional Perspective

Maryna Ramcharan and Abigail Taylor examine the National Minimum Wage in terms of how it compares to minimum wage rates internationally, its national impact and its implications for the West Midlands. The 1st of April 2022 marks the 23rd year since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in the UK by Tony Blair’s … Continue reading “The National Minimum Wage: An International, National and Regional Perspective”

Investing in Infrastructure: Best Practice From Bilbao to New South Wales

Abigail Taylor, Anne Green and Gina Coe discuss how governments around the globe have focused on infrastructure investment in attempt to address regional inequalities.  Governments have turned to infrastructure development to stimulate economic growth. From the UK’s Plan for Growth and the European Green Deal to the US’s Build Back Better Plan, infrastructure has been … Continue reading “Investing in Infrastructure: Best Practice From Bilbao to New South Wales”

Other Countries Have Made Progress in Levelling Up – Here’s How the UK’s Plan Compares

Dr Abigail Taylor looks at how the UK’s approach to levelling up compares with regions that have been successful in reducing inequalities. She draws on recent research she contributed to led by Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development, City-REDI and Jeffrey Matsu, Chief Economist at CIPFA. Liam O’Farrell, Hannes Read, Gina Coe, Ben Brittain, and … Continue reading “Other Countries Have Made Progress in Levelling Up – Here’s How the UK’s Plan Compares”