Post-Brexit? What defines an outstanding Modern Industrial Strategy for a Great Global Trading Nation?

Here, City-REDI’s Prof. John Bryson gives his views on what a modern industrial strategy should look like post-Brexit. “An effective industrial strategy should be a long-term strategy that works over decades rather than years. It should evolve slowly building on a strong supportive foundation and should be evaluated over decades rather than election cycles.” Last week, Theresa … Continue reading “Post-Brexit? What defines an outstanding Modern Industrial Strategy for a Great Global Trading Nation?”

Theresa May’s Brexit speech: what will it mean for migration and employment?

Following Theresa May’s speech on 17 January 2017, laying out the UK’s objectives for its exit from the EU, questions surrounding migration and any impact this may have on employment remain key. Mrs May used her much-anticipated speech to announce her priorities for Brexit negotiations, including “control” of migration between the UK and the EU. ‘Brexit … Continue reading “Theresa May’s Brexit speech: what will it mean for migration and employment?”

All Change? The Implications of Theresa May’s Lancaster House ‘Exiting the European Union’ Speech (16 January 2017) for Everyday Britons

Here, City-REDI’s Prof. John Bryson discusses what Theresa May’s speech on ‘Exiting the European Union’ earlier this week means for everyday Britons. “Well, that’s all folks!” This well-known phase from the world of Hollywood cartoons perhaps sums up Theresa May’s Lancaster House speech that has laid out some of the principles that underpin the UK Government’s approach … Continue reading “All Change? The Implications of Theresa May’s Lancaster House ‘Exiting the European Union’ Speech (16 January 2017) for Everyday Britons”

International students – Do we really want less?

In the post-Brexit era, a number of previously subdued discussions and ideas came to the fore which attempted to address the concerns of the general public revealed by the referendum. Amongst these is immigration. And within that, there are considerations of reducing the number of international students to universities. In this post, I’m adding my … Continue reading “International students – Do we really want less?”

After the Autumn Statement, winter is coming?

This year’s Autumn Statement paints a dramatic statement for prospects for growth. Instead of being in the black we are now in the red. Borrowing is back, and public spending restraint is a bit looser, but are the measures in the Autumn Statement going to drive growth and help those most affected by austerity? Although … Continue reading “After the Autumn Statement, winter is coming?”

Bricks, Concrete and Steel – A look at Birmingham’s future commercial and residential property and local infrastructure development

City-REDI, in collaboration with KPMG, hosted their event ‘Bricks, Concrete and Steel – A look at Birmingham’s future commercial and residential property and local infrastructure development’ this month as part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s Festival of Social Sciences. The Dynamic Economic Impact Model (DEIM) is being developed by KPMG and City-REDI for the … Continue reading “Bricks, Concrete and Steel – A look at Birmingham’s future commercial and residential property and local infrastructure development”

All Change? The New Politics of Austere Ambition

Following his predictions of the Autumn Statement earlier this week (which can be found here), here City-REDI’s Prof. John Bryson reflects on yesterday’s announcement. “Yesterday’s Autumn Statement reflects a somewhat limited ambition that is constrained by the UK’s structural deficit. There are rather too many uncertainties related to Brexit, the continued underlying weakness of the European … Continue reading “All Change? The New Politics of Austere Ambition”

House of Commons Public Accounts Committee – West Midlands Devolution

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee held their event – ‘West Midlands Devolution’ – in Wolverhampton last month in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority to discuss what devolution means for the West Midlands. City-REDI’s Charlotte Hoole was there to join in the debate. Devolution forums are cropping up all around the city, offering … Continue reading “House of Commons Public Accounts Committee – West Midlands Devolution”

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and City REDI Birmingham Economic Review 2016 Launch Event

The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, in conjunction with City-REDI, launched their 2016 Economic Review of Birmingham on 1st November. Here City-REDI’s Catherine Harris provides a summary of the event. GBCC Chief Executive Paul Faulkner provided a welcome to the event which focussed on the three parts of the report. 1) The Structure and Geography … Continue reading “Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and City REDI Birmingham Economic Review 2016 Launch Event”

Devolution with a small d – Reflections on our Conservative Party fringe event

Our event in Birmingham was a much more subdued affair than the previous one in Liverpool for the Labour party conference. Chaired again by Dr Adam Marshall (Acting Director General at the British Chamber of Commerce) he opened with a show of hands from the audience, asking if they supported the move to mayors and … Continue reading “Devolution with a small d – Reflections on our Conservative Party fringe event”