The UK has historically failed to learn important lessons from European countries on spatial rebalancing. It has recently acknowledged the need for effective local institutions and a long-term national strategy, but its asymmetric approach is unlikely to reduce geographic inequality. The failure of levelling up When the previous UK government launched its levelling up agenda … Continue reading “Geographic Inequalities in an Era of Unequal Devolution”
Category: Economics
From Challenge to Change: How Social Impact is revitalising Ladywood’s economic viability
Ladywood, one of Birmingham’s most socioeconomically challenged wards, is undergoing a quiet transformation. This blog by Michele Wilby, CEO of Colmore Business District (BID), explores the current economic state of Birmingham with a spotlight on Ladywood, highlighting how targeted social impact initiatives, especially those focused on youth, are creating new pathways to opportunity and prosperity. … Continue reading “From Challenge to Change: How Social Impact is revitalising Ladywood’s economic viability”
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”
Exploring Emerging and Future Opportunities in the West Midlands Combined Authority Region
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has published “West Midlands Futures – Exploring Emerging and Future Opportunities in the West Midlands Combined Authority Region”, a study completed by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) and City-REDI team. Making Place-based Futures in the West Midlands In August 2022, the WMCA published the West Midlands Plan for Growth. … Continue reading “Exploring Emerging and Future Opportunities in the West Midlands Combined Authority Region”
What does the 2025 Spending Review mean for Place-Based Economic Development?
One year on from winning the General Election, the Labour Government have outlined its spending review for 2025. Over the course of the Government’s first year, headlines about public finances have focused on tightening budgets. On the one hand, this Spending Review follows in a similar vein. But there are also relatively significant increases in … Continue reading “What does the 2025 Spending Review mean for Place-Based Economic Development?”
Report Spotlight: Leveraging Public Procurement to Drive Local Innovation
In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI. In the next blog from this series, we look at Dr Chloe Billing’s Leveraging Public Procurement to Drive Local Innovation report which is part of the ongoing work with the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC) In today’s evolving … Continue reading “Report Spotlight: Leveraging Public Procurement to Drive Local Innovation”
Birmingham’s Economic Miracle – How can everyone benefit?
I recently spoke at the Lunar Society, attempting to discuss this topic, an “expert view”. In looking at addressing these questions I thought about a more provocation approach, but first breaking down the topics in the question: Has Birmingham experienced an economic Miracle? Do people benefit? How can they benefit? Watching the recent news, it … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Economic Miracle – How can everyone benefit?”
What is the anticipated impact of the Spring Statement 2025?
There were few new announcements in this Spring Statement, the most significant announcements have been in changes to benefits and welfare. Below sets out the government current fiscal plans and their impact following the spring statement discussed by Alice Pugh. Benefits and Welfare There have been significant changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) and Universal … Continue reading “What is the anticipated impact of the Spring Statement 2025?”
The Spring Statement 2025
In her first Spring Statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made few announcements. The Spring Statement has had few new policy and fiscal announcements; however, this is not too unusual for the Spring Statement. There will be more announcements around departmental spending in June following a spending review. Alice Pugh looks at the key … Continue reading “The Spring Statement 2025”
Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?
Dr Darja Reuschke explores how job satisfaction, autonomy, and commute experiences shape employee performance. Whether working from home impacts employees’ productivity and performance is not a new question, but one that has received renewed attention with media coverage of organisations asking their staff to work fully or a minimum number of days in the office. … Continue reading “Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?”