West Midlands Impact Monitor- 22nd July 2022

This week has seen the UK’s previously highest temperature record smashed with temperatures in excess of 40C recorded. Wildfires have raged across many parts of Europe. Inflation has been rising globally. In the UK the cost of living crisis has intensified as inflation hit 9.4% for the 12 months to June 2022. Record temperatures Wildfires … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 22nd July 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 8th July 2022

This week has been a tumultuous week in politics and is still unfolding as this monitor is written. This will not help the instability in the economy, which continues to show signs of contraction. The latest MakeUK Survey shows exports on a precipice and investment nosediving, and the OBR are predicting the effects of the … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 8th July 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 24th June 2022

The latest Purchasing Managers Index has left confidence falling to a 19-month low, but some firms remained upbeat due to new product launches, marketing efforts and expansion plans to support output over the course of the coming year. Business optimism was generally restricted due to acute inflationary pressures, issues with transportation, a challenging economic climate, … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 24th June 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10th June 2022

This fortnight the key data release is the long awaited GVA for 2020, which is the first one to reflect the impact of Covid-19. The region has kept its economy above the £100bn mark but dropped to £102bn, a decrease of 4.5% (generally across all GVA indicators the region performs poorly against the UK). This … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10th June 2022”

West Midlands Impact Monitor- 27th May 2022

China’s economy is slowing, the US economy is hampered by a tight jobs market and Europe is struggling with labour shortages and a cost of living crisis. In the UK the increase in energy bills is contributing to the rising cost of living, and the West Midlands has a greater proportion of households in fuel … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 27th May 2022”

West Midlands Impact Monitor- 13th May 2022

High inflation rates are combining with slower economic growth. The rising cost of living remains a key concern. These trends are partly fuelled by war in Ukraine, with geopolitical tensions heightening as Sweden and Finland sign new security deals with European allies. Regionally, the West Midlands Business Activity Index has decreased. But the picture is … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 13th May 2022”

Back Issues of the West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor

WMREDI 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 research … Continue reading “Back Issues of the West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 29 April 2022

With the devastation caused by war in Ukraine continuing, Russia has halted gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria in what has been termed a strategy of ‘energy blackmail’. Many European countries are working to reduce dependence on gas from Russia. Awareness of supply pressures on certain goods, notably cooking oil, is becoming more apparent with … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 29 April 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 14 April 2022

COVID-19 cases have been rising. In England, the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 remained high in the week ending 2 April 2022; ONS estimate that 4,141,600 people in England had COVID-19 equating to 7.60% of the population, which is about 1 in 13 people, but deaths still remain low. This level of illness … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 14 April 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 1 April 2022

It is now two years since the beginning of the pandemic, and the Global Economy is being rocked by another severe shock. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is foremost a human tragedy and a reminder of the terrible costs of war and the immense and immeasurable consequences for those who are caught up in them. … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 1 April 2022”