In this blog, Professor Simon Collinson, City-REDI, discusses the challenges facing the new WMCA Mayor. By a narrow margin on the second ballot, the people of the West Midlands voted for Andy Street to be the first Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) region. He is one of a new group of ‘metro … Continue reading “Andy Street’s To-Do List: Challenges for the New WMCA Mayor”
Category: Economics
Fiscal devolution in the UK – the facts
Local government funding is once again coming to the fore, especially now that we are approaching the mayoral elections next week on the 4th May. In this blog, City-REDI’sTasos Kitsos discusses fiscal devolution in the UK compared to international experiences. No big introduction needed. This post looks into the numbers related to the extent … Continue reading “Fiscal devolution in the UK – the facts”
Metro Mayors – Next Steps for Devolution in England
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS) hosted their event ‘Metro Mayors: next steps for devolution in England’ last week in the run up to the Mayoral elections which will take place in several major city-regions next month on the 4th May. City-REDI’s Charlotte Hoole was … Continue reading “Metro Mayors – Next Steps for Devolution in England”
Manufacturers in the UK – Taking Their Eye off the Ball
Here, City-REDI’s Amir Qamar discusses the fate of British manufacturing after Brexit. The fate of the British manufacturing industry is currently unclear, with many organisations concerned about the effects that Brexit may have on their business; however, the potential impact will become much clearer once the government negotiates with the EU and concrete trade deals … Continue reading “Manufacturers in the UK – Taking Their Eye off the Ball”
Employed worklessness and other oxymora
Tasos Kitsos comments on the latest ONS release of employment on zero-hours contract. On March 15 2017, ONS released its latest estimate (Oct to Dec 2016) of people employed on contracts that do not guarantee a minimum amount of hours. Ready? Here it is… 905,000 (or 2.8% of those employed). The figure itself may not … Continue reading “Employed worklessness and other oxymora”
Budgeting on the Margins? Skills, Business Rates and the Budget
Here, City-REDI’s Professor John Bryson shares his Spring Budget predictions ahead of tomorrow’s announcement. “…There is a major policy tension that needs to be reconciled. On the one hand, there is a strategy to devolve business rates as part of the ‘devolution revolution’. On the other hand, the rise of e-commerce has undermined the basis of much … Continue reading “Budgeting on the Margins? Skills, Business Rates and the Budget”
Data from the producer perspective: Two days with the ONS
City-REDI’s Tasos Kitsos is back from attending the International Economic Statistics Conference hosted by ONS. Here he provides a round-up of his experience. These are some of my favourite ingredients for a conference; A line-up of great speakers, An audience full of interesting people, A great balance between talking, debating, questioning and breaking up for … Continue reading “Data from the producer perspective: Two days with the ONS”
A modern industrial strategy – can it work?
A modern industrial strategy – can it work? The following piece was written by Professor Henry Overman, London School of Economics, and City-REDI’s Max Nathan. Much has already been written on the Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper. This post isn’t intended to provide an overall assessment or spell out our individual views on the approach being … Continue reading “A modern industrial strategy – can it work?”
AnalystFEST post-event review: “Standing Room Only!”
In this post, Tasos Kitsos provides a round-up of City-REDI’s AnalystFEST event which took place last week. The event brought together policy and academic researchers in the West Midlands to celebrate the use of evidence. This was an activity packed day that provided the chance for a number of high profile speakers to reflect on … Continue reading “AnalystFEST post-event review: “Standing Room Only!””
West Midlands Devolution: Great Mayoral Debate 2017
City-REDI sponsored an event hosted by Insider last week which brought together the mayoral candidates for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for a debate ahead of the election on May 4th. City-REDI’s Prof. Simon Collinson was there to bring the session to a close, providing a number of key reflections that came out of the … Continue reading “West Midlands Devolution: Great Mayoral Debate 2017”