Dr Huanjia Ma recently contributed to a Business and Trade Committee call for evidence on behalf of City-REDI, University of Birmingham. This blog explores his submission. The committee was trying to understand the major challenges facing UK businesses and the economy, including costs, regulation, skills shortages, and investment barriers. This in turn would help support … Continue reading “Understanding the Major Challenges Facing UK businesses and the Economy – Evidence Submission”
Category: Business
Spring Statement Blog 2026
Following 2025 Budget, I noted whether the Chancellor and Government can “sensible their way to prosperity”. Whether the 2026 Spring Statement marks progress towards economic prosperity is still to be seen. But there is, to her credit, a continued commitment by the Chancellor to stability and transparency in economic policy making. Strong and stable version 2.0? There are two stories running in parallel in the 2026 Spring Statement. On the one … Continue reading “Spring Statement Blog 2026”
Invitation: Understanding SME Leadership, Management and Productivity in the West Midlands
Invitation to Participate Public support for small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) must respond to the needs of business community. To best achieve this, we will appreciate your participation in a short interview please. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and City‑REDI at the University of Birmingham are carrying out a study to understand the factors … Continue reading “Invitation: Understanding SME Leadership, Management and Productivity in the West Midlands”
Emerging Findings from the Collaborative Value Initiative
Fertilising the soil for greater social impact Organisations looking for ways to measure their contribution to social value are not short of alternatives. The industry around measuring social return on investment has generated proxies, measures and tools for organisations to monetise their social, environmental, economic, health and cultural outcomes. But these tools are often expensive, … Continue reading “Emerging Findings from the Collaborative Value Initiative”
Beyond ‘what works’, who works, how and at what scales for the civic university: reflections from the Regional Studies Association Conference, Porto May 2025
In a blog, originally published by the National Civic Impact Accelerator, Johannes Read and Matthew Guest reflect on the Regional Studies Association Conference. Building on from the backdrop of a renewed interest in the civic role that universities play in their local areas, members of the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) team co-led a special session at … Continue reading “Beyond ‘what works’, who works, how and at what scales for the civic university: reflections from the Regional Studies Association Conference, Porto May 2025”
Unpicking the 2025 Budget
Johannes Read, Senior Policy and Data Analyst at the City-Region Economic Development Institute (City-REDI) outlines that announcements made in the 2025 Budget on 26th November is more about tinkering with the edges, rather than a deeper, and arguably necessary, reform. Tackling different types of challenges Football is a big part of my life. As a … Continue reading “Unpicking the 2025 Budget”
UK Budget 2025: Key Measures and Economic Outlook
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her second Budget, outlining plans for taxes, public services, infrastructure, business support, and social measures, alongside updated forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Some details were previously announced, while others emerged after the OBR accidentally published its official forecast early. This blog aims to summarise what was said … Continue reading “UK Budget 2025: Key Measures and Economic Outlook”
From Bronze to Gold: How a Place-Based Approach Can Drive UK Industrial Strategy Excellence
Rebecca Riley, Peter O’Brien and Helen Turner reflect on the Innovation for Growth summit – UKRI. Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) opened the summit with an analogy that, in 1996, Team GB finished 36th in the Olympic medal table a sobering result for a nation with sporting history, tradition … Continue reading “From Bronze to Gold: How a Place-Based Approach Can Drive UK Industrial Strategy Excellence”
Bridging Gaps: Policy, Participation, and Mental Health in Birmingham.
PhD student, Henna Chumber shares insights from a City-REDI Social Value and Impact studentship, exploring youth engagement in Birmingham Promise. From the Classroom to Council Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of diving into the world of policy through a City-REDI’s Social Value and Impact studentship. As a PhD student in Psychology with … Continue reading “Bridging Gaps: Policy, Participation, and Mental Health in Birmingham.”
Policy Briefing: Understanding the UK’s Rise in Economic Inactivity Since 2020 Across Local Labour Markets
Donald Houston talks though key findings of the report and policy implications of a recent City-REDI paper. The University of Birmingham’s City-Region Economic Development Institute (City-REDI) has published a Research & Policy Briefing paper based on the main findings from a major project that I led funded by the Economic & Social Research Council. The … Continue reading “Policy Briefing: Understanding the UK’s Rise in Economic Inactivity Since 2020 Across Local Labour Markets”