Devolution and Local Recovery

Kevin Johnson, Managing Director of strategic communications firm Urban Communications, looks at the Government’s upcoming White Paper on Devolution. Will the government propose to increase powers for local authorities or continue a policy of delegation rather than devolution?  The Government is set to publish a White Paper this Autumn on Devolution. As well as building … Continue reading “Devolution and Local Recovery”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 14th August 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 relates to research … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 14th August 2020”

Helping NEET Young People Towards and Into Employment: Learning From Talent Match

In this blog, Professor Anne Green discusses Talent Match, a programme set up after the 2008 recession in response to rising unemployment,  with the aim of supporting young people aged 18-24 years, especially those who are furthest from the labour market (and sometimes ‘hidden’ from mainstream support) to achieve sustainable employment and fulfilling lives. In … Continue reading “Helping NEET Young People Towards and Into Employment: Learning From Talent Match”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 7th August 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 relates to research … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 7th August 2020”

COVID-19 and Impacts on Education and Training: Challenges and Opportunities

Professor Anne Green discusses the effect COVID-19 is having on education and skills, including the many challenges now faced, but also that Coronavirus provides an opportunity to reshape and reform the sector. School closures and accentuated inequalities in educational achievement Despite a move to online learning, there is considerable concern about school closures leading to … Continue reading “COVID-19 and Impacts on Education and Training: Challenges and Opportunities”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 17th July 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 – 17th July 2020”

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?”

Brexit and UK Manufacturing

Manufacturing is still important The UK is largely seen as a ‘service-based’ economy, which means that services – such as financial, legal, research & development (R&D), real estate and so on – account for the bulk of economic output and employment. Manufacturing, on the other hand, only formally accounts for around 10% of the economy … Continue reading “Brexit and UK Manufacturing”

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?”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 26th June 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 – 26th June 2020”