City-REDI Webinar Series: COVID-19 and Self-Employment in the UK – 13th May 2020, 1 pm – 2 pm

City-REDI will be holding a series of webinars over the next few months, details can be found below. Next up in the series is Dr Darja Reuschke, Associate Professor in Human Geography from the University of Southampton: COVID-19 and self-employment in the UK Date: Wednesday, May 13th, 1:00-2:00 pm (UK time) on Zoom Abstract: The … Continue reading “City-REDI Webinar Series: COVID-19 and Self-Employment in the UK – 13th May 2020, 1 pm – 2 pm”

New Research From the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory Examines the Drivers, Opportunities and Barriers Facing the Midlands

We are happy to announce that the Midlands Engine is today publishing key outputs from the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory (MEEO). The MEEO is a partnership led by City-REDI, which includes Nottingham Trent University, the Black Country Consortium, SQW, and Cambridge Econometrics. It aims to provide essential research capacity and grow contemporary insights into the … Continue reading “New Research From the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory Examines the Drivers, Opportunities and Barriers Facing the Midlands”

Prosperity, Inclusivity and Sustainability Across UK Regions – WM REDI Policy Briefing

This policy briefing reports on a study to assess economic growth, inclusivity and sustainability across UK regions in terms of both current performance (in 2018) and change in performance (between 2013 and 2018). It is part of a larger, on-going (ESRC-funded) project on ‘Local Institutions, Productivity, Sustainability and Inclusivity Trade-offs’ (LIPSIT). We developed a regional … Continue reading “Prosperity, Inclusivity and Sustainability Across UK Regions – WM REDI Policy Briefing”

Estimates of the Local Impact in the West Midlands of the OBR Scenario of a 35% Reduction in Real GDP in Q2 2020

The Office of Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) COVID-19 analysis published on 14th April 2020 makes clear that on the basis of evidence from past pandemics the economic impact of the crisis will arise less from illness and death than from the reduction in demand for goods and services stemming from public health restrictions and social distancing … Continue reading “Estimates of the Local Impact in the West Midlands of the OBR Scenario of a 35% Reduction in Real GDP in Q2 2020”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 24 April 2020

WM REDI has been tasked with providing an up to date monitor of the current COVID-19 economic impacts to help regional partners to shape responses and interventions to ensure the region continues to thrive. The weekly monitor brings together data and intelligence from the WM REDI partnership into one single source which can be shared … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 24 April 2020”

City-REDI Book Club – Global City Makers: Economic Actors and Practices in the World City Network

In the second edition of the City-REDI Book Club, Dr Charlotte Hoole reviews “Global City Makers: Economic Actors and Practices in the World City Network” by Michael Hoyler, Christof Parnreiter and Allan Watson.  In an era of globalisation and rapid urbanisation, the city has become an important unit of analysis for understanding urban systems. This … Continue reading “City-REDI Book Club – Global City Makers: Economic Actors and Practices in the World City Network”

The Uneven Spatial Footprint of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Shutdown

In this blog, Tasos Kitsos looks into the spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of industries currently shut down in the UK.  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, we begin to realise the potential economic impact from the oncoming recession. The Office for National Statistics has moved with unprecedented speed to gather data on the … Continue reading “The Uneven Spatial Footprint of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Shutdown”

Identifying Exposure: What Do the IFS Estimates on the Coronavirus Sector Shutdown Mean for the West Midlands?

On April 6th 2020 the Institute for Fiscal Studies published a briefing note about which workers are most exposed to the COVID-19 lockdown. In this blog, Tasos Kitsos looks at the relevant figures for a range of sub-national areas focussing on West Midlands Combined Authority and constituent LEPs and Local Authorities. The sectors directly affected … Continue reading “Identifying Exposure: What Do the IFS Estimates on the Coronavirus Sector Shutdown Mean for the West Midlands?”

Local Resilience and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Economic Crisis

First things first, stay in as much as possible. Never before such a simple action could have such a big impact. From protecting your loved ones to helping the economy, staying in is currently one of our best weapons. The more we stay in, the quicker we will be out of this challenge. Beyond the … Continue reading “Local Resilience and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Economic Crisis”

Is Birmingham a Just City?

The story of Birmingham’s post-industrial decline in the twentieth century is well known. However, any visitor to the city centre today can’t help but notice its urban renaissance in the twenty-first. From the revitalised New Street station to the glass tower blocks at Snow Hill, major regeneration projects are visually transforming the city. Many of … Continue reading “Is Birmingham a Just City?”