This blog was first posted on The UK in a Changing Europe website. You can view more details about the project here. The work of our international research team, led by City-REDI Institute at the University of Birmingham, has so far focused on assessing the size of the Brexit-related risk exposure for the UK, every other EU … Continue reading “The continental divide? Economic exposure to Brexit in regions and countries on both sides of the Channel”
Category: Government
#Budget2017 – Sailing the ship in troubling times
This year’s autumn statement paints a dramatic statement for growth prospects, with the growth forecast for 2017 downgraded from 2% to 1.5% and GDP falling further to 1.4%, 1.3% and not rising until 2020. Business investment has been revised down and CPI forecasts it to fall later this year. £3bn has been set aside to … Continue reading “#Budget2017 – Sailing the ship in troubling times”
The Autumn Budget 2017: For Whom and for What Purpose or just an exercise in Whistling in the Wind?
This blog was written by Professor John Bryson, City-REDI, Birmingham Business School. I find the political and media worlds in the UK increasingly depressing. I had wondered if this was a new form of illness, perhaps Brexitis. I have been reflecting on my increasing disillusionment with both British politics and the media and I have … Continue reading “The Autumn Budget 2017: For Whom and for What Purpose or just an exercise in Whistling in the Wind?”
City-REDI feature in “Data as Infrastructure” report
Professor Simon Collinson and Dr Amir Qamar were recently featured in a report on data by Prospect magazine. The report, called “Data as Infrastructure” puts together a series of articles and essays on “Smart cities” and how local authorities are beginning to see data as another form of infrastructure. Simon and Amir’s chapter titled “Smart … Continue reading “City-REDI feature in “Data as Infrastructure” report”
Connectivity and growth – are Engines, Powerhouses, Combined authorities the solution?
“If devolution is a journey, the current deals are not the destination”, was an underlying theme in the discussion at the City-REDI sponsored the Labour Party Conference fringe event on connectivity and growth (organised by Devo Connect). The current approach of making cities and (as Sir John Peace pointed out) other areas compete for limited … Continue reading “Connectivity and growth – are Engines, Powerhouses, Combined authorities the solution?”
What should the Mayor do on skills & housing?
Skills is a significant issue for the West Midlands but it’s structural and deep seated nature means 100 days of Mayoral activity is only the start. Solutions are long term and require fundamental changes to the regional economy, labour market and delivery structures. It’s vital the Mayor puts in place a programme of change that … Continue reading “What should the Mayor do on skills & housing?”
May I be so Bold? A Plan for the New West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor
This post was written by Chris Bouch for Urban Living Birmingham. When one looks at Andy Street’s potted history on Wikipedia, it is difficult not to be impressed: Oxford; past Managing Director at John Lewis Partnership; past chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership; Commander of the British Empire for services to … Continue reading “May I be so Bold? A Plan for the New West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor”
YouGov called the election right. How?
This General Election has been full of surprises. So I’ve been digging into the YouGov MRP voting model, pretty much the only one that got the 2017 Election result correct. Given all the current humble pie and book eating by pundits who didn’t spot the result coming, this seems worth doing. I also think … Continue reading “YouGov called the election right. How?”
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……..”
What should be at the top of the agenda of the next UK government?
With the UK election on the 8th June nearing, City-REDI’s Professor Simon Collinson proposes what he thinks should be the top 3 priorities for the next UK government once in post. In this short video, Professor Simon Collinson speaks about the need for the next UK government to be getting the Brexit negotiations right, taking seriously a regional … Continue reading “What should be at the top of the agenda of the next UK government?”