The significance of a place-based industrial strategy for the West Midlands

A place-based approach to industrial strategy frames the first report published by the Industrial Strategy Commission, an independent body established by the Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI) and Policy@Manchester. Place is central in two ways. First, it is identified as one of seven ‘foundational’ themes that the industrial strategy must be built on. Second … Continue reading “The significance of a place-based industrial strategy for the West Midlands”

Increasing productivity in the agriculture sector via UK satellite applications

The government’s plan to secure growth in the UK’s £13.7bn space industry was outlined in the Queen’s Speech last Wednesday (21st June 2017). The plan involved “enabling [scientists] to launch from UK soil” and updating legislation to “offer the UK’s world-leading small satellite companies new options for low-cost, reliable access to space”. This pledge followed … Continue reading “Increasing productivity in the agriculture sector via UK satellite applications”

What are the economic impacts of Brexit on the UK’s sectors, regions and cities?

This piece was written by City-REDI’s Professor Raquel Ortega-Argilés. Recent research suggests that the UK’s cities and regions which voted for Brexit are also the most economically dependent on EU markets for their prosperity and viability (Los, McCann, Springford and Thissen, 2017). This is a result of their differing sectoral and trade composition. Different impacts are … Continue reading “What are the economic impacts of Brexit on the UK’s sectors, regions and cities?”

After the [Metro Mayor’s] Election is Over……..

In this blog, Mike Grace from Birmingham City University reflects on the election of the West Midland’s first Metro Mayor. The 4th May 2017 has come and gone and Andy Street is the first and the new Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority. Congratulations, as it must have been difficult to pitch for this … Continue reading “After the [Metro Mayor’s] Election is Over……..”

“Article 218(11) TFEU, Opinion 2/15” or “Herding European Cats” and Post-Brexit Negotiations? The European Commission and the Negotiation of Free Trade Agreements

The following piece was written by City-REDI’s Prof. John Bryson. Managing academics is often described as a process that is more akin to herding cats – in other words, academics are impossible to manage, or perhaps very difficult to manage and their management is perhaps more akin to a process of negotiation. The more parties … Continue reading ““Article 218(11) TFEU, Opinion 2/15” or “Herding European Cats” and Post-Brexit Negotiations? The European Commission and the Negotiation of Free Trade Agreements”

The United Kingdom – Free Trade Nation or Foolish Nation? Beyond the Limitations of the Brexit Debate

The following piece was written by City-REDI’s Prof. John Bryson. I returned from Singapore recently having missed the media discussions of the results of the UK local elections. Nevertheless, the papers, radio and television are saturated with coverage of the June general election and Brexit. As I write this, the radio is on in the … Continue reading “The United Kingdom – Free Trade Nation or Foolish Nation? Beyond the Limitations of the Brexit Debate”

Brexit and the Lessons from Singapore – Geography Matters, Free Trade Agreements, Integrated Policy and Independence

The following piece was written by City-REDI’s Prof. John Bryson. This week is one spent in Singapore and this provides an opportunity and a stimulus to reflect on the relationship between Brexit, the UK and the example set by Singapore. Singapore comes with associations of free trade, global finance, a major Asian centre, integrated approaches … Continue reading “Brexit and the Lessons from Singapore – Geography Matters, Free Trade Agreements, Integrated Policy and Independence”

Andy Street’s To-Do List: Challenges for the New WMCA Mayor

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”

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”