The UK Regional Economy and the Uneven Impacts of Brexit

Donald Houston and Iain Docherty highlight that insufficient attention has been paid to the regional implications of economic policy choices such as Brexit, which has hampered efforts to address place-based inequalities. This blog was originally posted on the UK in a Changing Europe website. For almost a century, the UK policy system has – with … Continue reading “The UK Regional Economy and the Uneven Impacts of Brexit”

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Perspectives on Allocations in the Midlands

Writing for the Midlands Engine Observatory, Charlie Hopkirk examines whether the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will provide a sufficient replacement for the European Structural Fund in the Midlands. Launched in April, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a Government-allocated fund which is intended to reduce inequalities between communities. UKSPF is being allocated nationally as … Continue reading “UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Perspectives on Allocations in the Midlands”

Brexit and the West Midlands: What Has Happened in the Last Five Years?

On 29th March 2017, article 50 was triggered and the UK began the process of leaving the EU. To mark the day, Hannes Read looks at the impact Brexit has had on the West Midlands.  The 29th March 2022 marks five years to the day since Article 50 was formally triggered; beginning the process for … Continue reading “Brexit and the West Midlands: What Has Happened in the Last Five Years?”

The ‘2020 Shock’ on the Midlands Automotive Sector

Matt Lyons and Raquel Ortega-Argiles provide an analysis of the economic impact of Brexit and Covid-19 on the automotive sector in the Midlands during 2020. View our Midlands Engine Observatory project page The automotive industry remains an integral part of the national economy. The automotive industry is one of the UK’s major employers, supporting over … Continue reading “The ‘2020 Shock’ on the Midlands Automotive Sector”

Brexit and COVID-19 in the Midlands

Will Rossiter, Associate Professor of Regional Policy & Development at Nottingham Trent University, reflects on the impact of Brexit and the pandemic in the Midlands over the last two years. Reflecting on Brexit and the pandemic A year-on from the end of the transition period covering the UK’s exit from the EU and roughly two … Continue reading “Brexit and COVID-19 in the Midlands”

The Impact of Brexit and COVID–19 on International Trade In Our Region

Mandy Haque looks at how Brexit and Covid-19 have impacted international trade in the West Midlands and the challenges that lay ahead.  This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. … Continue reading “The Impact of Brexit and COVID–19 on International Trade In Our Region”

Brexit Deal: What Is New for the Regions?

After eight months of negotiations, the UK and EU agreed on a new Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles examines what the Brexit deal means for the UK and its regions.    This blog was first posted on the Birmingham Brief site.  On 24 December 2020, after eight months of negotiations, the UK and … Continue reading “Brexit Deal: What Is New for the Regions?”

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”

New publication: UK analysts’ and policy-makers’ perspectives on Brexit: challenges, priorities and opportunities for subnational areas

Dr Deniz Sevinc, Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles and Dr Chloe Billing discuss how the voice of the expert was sidelined during the Brexit debates, and why it is crucial for these voices to be heard again for local and regional areas.  Over the last two years, as a part of our ESRC funded project “The Economic Impacts … Continue reading “New publication: UK analysts’ and policy-makers’ perspectives on Brexit: challenges, priorities and opportunities for subnational areas”

Brexit and Losses of UK Regional Competitiveness: What Does this Mean for the West Midlands, ‘Levelling Up’ and a UK-EU Trade Deal?

A UK in a Changing Europe research team led by Professor Raquel Ortega-Argilés from City-REDI, University of Birmingham, and also involving the University of Sheffield, University of Groningen, Erasmus University and Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency, has recently published new research which extends our understanding of the likely consequences of Brexit for UK and EU regions. … Continue reading “Brexit and Losses of UK Regional Competitiveness: What Does this Mean for the West Midlands, ‘Levelling Up’ and a UK-EU Trade Deal?”