In 2016 and again in 2017, I produced a Christmas blog that explored twelve economic impacts of Christmas. More recently, I commented on Small Business Saturday and the importance of responsible consumption during the December shopping Christmas frenzy. This year I am not exploring the economic impacts of Christmas, but I am interested in considering … Continue reading “Value and Valuing Christmas: Towards a non-price-based Theory of Value”
Category: Economics
The 2018-2019 West Midlands Databook: Things Are Looking up for West Midlands, but How Does It Compare to Other City-Regions?
City-REDI have compiled a snapshot of key data for the West Midlands. Drawing on the success of the 2017 databook, the 2018-2019 edition provides up-to-date labour market profiles for the West Midlands Region, West Midlands Combined Authority, three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and over 30 Local Authorities. Together, the booklet provides easy to access data … Continue reading “The 2018-2019 West Midlands Databook: Things Are Looking up for West Midlands, but How Does It Compare to Other City-Regions?”
The Birmingham Economic Review 2018: People – Inclusive Growth and Skills
This blog post has been produced to provide insight into the findings of the Birmingham Economic Review. The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, with contributions from the West Midlands Growth Company. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy of England’s second … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2018: People – Inclusive Growth and Skills”
The Implications of Brexit for the UK’s Regions
Our research for the UK in a Changing Europe (“The economic impacts of Brexit on the UK, its regions, its cities and its sectors”) has demonstrated that the implications of Brexit are profoundly different for the different cities, regions, and nations of the UK. Yet, the proposed UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement brokered by Prime Minister Theresa … Continue reading “The Implications of Brexit for the UK’s Regions”
The Exposure of the West Midlands Region to Brexit
There are many unknowns relating to Brexit, regarding (i) the nature of the final trade deal and (ii) the potential responses of firms and consumers to any major shock like Brexit. Nevertheless, “a partial but still very wide-ranging and impact assessment can be undertaken even without such specific knowledge of the final trade deal and … Continue reading “The Exposure of the West Midlands Region to Brexit”
Artificial intelligence and robotics: Greater Birmingham’s friend or foe?
This blog post has been produced for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce to provide insight into the findings of the Birmingham Economic Review. The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, with contributions from the West Midlands Growth Company. It is an … Continue reading “Artificial intelligence and robotics: Greater Birmingham’s friend or foe?”
Small Business Saturday (1 December 2018) and Responsible Consumption: Independent Retailers and the Revival of the British High Street
I have just begun to realise that it is that time of year. Conifer trees, real and artificial, have begun to sprout up from the pavements and in shops and offices and additional twinkling lights have been installed to illuminate shopping streets and retail premises. There are many ways of reading these signs – as … Continue reading “Small Business Saturday (1 December 2018) and Responsible Consumption: Independent Retailers and the Revival of the British High Street”
Meet Laura Reynolds, our new Policy and Data Analyst
I have recently returned to the West Midlands for my role as a Policy and Data Analyst after five-years living and working in Wales. Coming back to the area after time away, I can see first-hand the changes across the city. Birmingham is rising to its position as the United Kingdom’s second city; attracting more … Continue reading “Meet Laura Reynolds, our new Policy and Data Analyst”
The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 – Ideas
The Birmingham Economic Review was produced in October 2018 by City-REDI, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West Midlands Growth Company. The review highlights the current strengths and weakness of the Birmingham economy, as well as looking at the opportunities and threats that might impact upon it in the future. Over the next few weeks, we will be producing … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 – Ideas”
The Future of the Business, Professional and Financial Services sector
On the 7th November 2018, City-REDI hosted an event on the ‘Future of the BPFS sector’. Our event was one of 303 that took place across the UK, part of the 2018 ESRC Festival of Social Science, which aims to showcase social science research to diverse and new audiences. The event provided a unique opportunity for regional … Continue reading “The Future of the Business, Professional and Financial Services sector”