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”
Category: Business
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”
Can West Midlanders Afford to Live Solo? A Local Take on the Carrie Bradshaw Index
In September 2025, The Economist updated the Carrie Bradshaw Index, a playful yet insightful measure of housing affordability for solo renters across 100 U.S. cities. Named after the iconic character from Sex and the City, the index compares median incomes to the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment, essentially asking: where can you afford to … Continue reading “Can West Midlanders Afford to Live Solo? A Local Take on the Carrie Bradshaw Index”
Mapping the UK’s Solar PV Supply Chain: An Analysis of Public Procurement Contracts
In this blog, Annum Rafique examines the UK’s solar PV procurement landscape, highlighting how strong SME participation and regional diversity have positioned the sector to support the Government’s 45-47 GW target outlined in the 2025 Solar Roadmap. This blog is part of ongoing work with the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), which seeks to position … Continue reading “Mapping the UK’s Solar PV Supply Chain: An Analysis of Public Procurement Contracts”
Report Spotlight: Economic & Social Impacts of PhDs
In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI. In the latest blog, we examine a report written by Hannes Read, Alice Pugh, Rebecca Riley, and George Bramley, which can support a civic university in maximising the impact of its operations to make a difference in places … Continue reading “Report Spotlight: Economic & Social Impacts of PhDs”
From Tick Box to Toolbox: Rethinking the Green Book
Professor Rebecca Riley looks at the UK Treasury’s Green Book guidance, arguing that while it’s a valuable decision-making tool, it’s often misused or misunderstood, leading to poor public investment outcomes and calling for better training and cultural change. It’s been an interesting few weeks in Green Book land following the report on the Treasury’s review. … Continue reading “From Tick Box to Toolbox: Rethinking the Green Book”
Project Spotlight: The BBC in the West Midlands: A Vital Cultural and Economic Force
In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI. In the latest blog, we examine the work of Dr Matthew Lyons and Dr Huanjia Ma with BOP Consulting, assessing the likely future economic contribution of the BBC to the West Midlands due to renewed investment in the … Continue reading “Project Spotlight: The BBC in the West Midlands: A Vital Cultural and Economic Force”