Economic Recovery Post COVID-19: The MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (REAP)

Dr Chloe Billing discusses the goals and objectives of MIT’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme, the aims of its pilot programme in the UK and what the MIT REAP West Midlands is doing to help the region recover from COVID-19.   In March 2020, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) launched a pilot in the UK … Continue reading “Economic Recovery Post COVID-19: The MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (REAP)”

How Can the UK Learn From Different International Skills Systems to Develop Post-Compulsory Education?

In this blog, Dr Abigail Taylor discusses her new report “Skills System International Case Studies” which identifies the key features and challenges of different international skills systems. For the third paper resulting from my recent ESRC-funded secondment to the Industrial Strategy Council, I produced case studies of the post-compulsory education systems in Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands … Continue reading “How Can the UK Learn From Different International Skills Systems to Develop Post-Compulsory Education?”

To V or Not to V? Are We Heading for a V-Shaped Recovery?

  Ben Brittain analyses the available data to discuss whether the Bank of England is right in predicting that the UK economy is heading for a V-shaped recovery. The Bank of England has suggested the UK economy is heading for a V-shaped recovery. It has used a variety of indicators to come to its conclusion. … Continue reading “To V or Not to V? Are We Heading for a V-Shaped Recovery?”

How Can We Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Unemployment Crisis Through Lifelong Learning?

A new report by City-REDI and the Industrial Strategy Council presents evidence on some of the skills challenges facing the UK and how they might be addressed. Dr Abigail Taylor considers the key points in the report that are relevant to the West Midlands as it seeks to plan its recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. … Continue reading “How Can We Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Unemployment Crisis Through Lifelong Learning?”

How Is Brexit Going to Be Affected by the COVID-19 Outbreak?

Professor Raquel Ortega-Argilés looks into the effects COVID-19 will have on Brexit negotiations and the consequences for local regions as well as the United Kingdom as a whole. Since the UK officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020 much has changed. Brexit has gone out of the political focus as both the UK and … Continue reading “How Is Brexit Going to Be Affected by the COVID-19 Outbreak?”

The Need for Greater Devolution in England to Respond to COVID-19

Welcome to REDI-Updates, a bi-annual publication which will get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. West Midlands REDI staff and guest contributors will discuss various topics, with this first publication focusing on how inclusive growth can be a tool to tackle regional imbalances across the UK. In this article, Dr Charlotte Hoole … Continue reading “The Need for Greater Devolution in England to Respond to COVID-19”

COVID-19 in West Midlands, an Opportunity for Fostering Urban Micro-Mobility

In this blog, Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla looks at the opportunities lockdown has presented us with to think differently about the way we use transport, including the possible benefits for the environment as well as the quality of travel in general. One could think about all the negative impacts that the coronavirus pandemic has triggered, … Continue reading “COVID-19 in West Midlands, an Opportunity for Fostering Urban Micro-Mobility”

Why is the West Midlands Attractive to Private R&D Investments but Not Government Funding?

Last week, NESTA launched a report on government spending on R&D and regions. The report was written by Tom Forth (Open Data Institute Leeds) and Richard Jones (University of Manchester) and was commissioned to present analysis on where and how R&D (public and private sector) is distributed across the UK. This blog pulls out key … Continue reading “Why is the West Midlands Attractive to Private R&D Investments but Not Government Funding?”

Business Recovery Measures in China (COVID-19)

In this blog, Dr Fengjie Pan explores China’s approach to supporting enterprises weather the economic storms generated by Covid-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has made a profound impact on many enterprises, completely disrupting their normal work rhythm and plans. Production and operations are blocked, yet they have to bear huge expenses such as personnel and rent. … Continue reading “Business Recovery Measures in China (COVID-19)”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 29th May 2020

WM REDI has been tasked with providing an up to date monitor of the current COVID-19 economic impacts, on a weekly basis. These reports will help regional partners to shape responses and interventions to boost the region’s resilience so that it can thrive going forward. Each week the focus of the report is based on … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 29th May 2020”