This week’s monitor looks at the delayed GVA statistics for 2019, where the region’s growth was lower than expected. Many indicators and surveys are pointing to an emerging recovery, but it is highly dependent on the opening up of the cities and high streets. Published research is turning to the opening up of cities and … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 11th June 2021”
Category: West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 28th May 2021
This week ONS released the latest GVA (for 2018-2019): the UK average was 3.5% GVA growth. WMCA GVA grew by 1.99% to £106.7bn in 2019, which is lower than expected for that year by many forecasters (Oxford Economics had forecast £110.8bn and are currently revising their forecasts). The Black Country grew by 1.29% to £22.3bn … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 28th May 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 14th May 2021
This week we welcome Andy Street back as Mayor. Following the easing of restrictions, signs of recovery and opening up may signal a new positive phase in the pandemic. We are also pleased to let readers know that the WMCA approach through the Monitor and the State of the Region has received recognition from the … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 14th May 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 30th April 2021
Following the easing of lockdown key indicators are showing the start of a return to normal. Footfall statistics indicate that people are more comfortable with leaving home, but the majority of people still feel the pandemic is having a worrying effect on their lives. The latest skills data shows a significant improvement; however, this should … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 30th April 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 16th April 2021
The latest GDP figures indicate the scale of recovery required as service businesses, including shops, restaurants and hairdressers, begin to re-open their doors this week. However, unlike the recessions of the past, many jobs have been retained (due to furlough and other government schemes), and as lockdowns are in place, many individuals have saved up … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 16th April 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 26th March 2021
This week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that productivity grew at the fastest rate on record in the middle of 2020 when compared with the quarter before, but this fell away again in the last three months of the year. This was mainly because the least productive industries were those hardest hit by … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 26th March 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 19th March 2021
This week it good to highlight the vaccine rollout continues at pace. The Midlands has successfully vaccinated 3,358,909 people with the first dose of the vaccine and 95,203 of these individuals have received the second dose. The Midlands has successfully continued to provide the most doses of the first jab and has remained the 3rd … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 19th March 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 12th March 2021
On Monday it was International Women’s day and it has been found that a year on from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, women have suffered the impacts more than their male counterparts. The Women’s Budget group released their ‘Women and employment during Covid-19 report’. The report found that: Women are the majority of employees … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 12th March 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 5th March 2021
It is Budget week and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak presented HMG’s Budget 2021 to the House of Commons on 3 March 2021. The Chancellor outlined measures in the Government’s Build back better: our plan for growth budget aimed at supporting jobs and businesses and stabilizing public finances. Budget summary: Business: £126m to fund … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 5th March 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 26th February 2021
This week the Prime Minister announced a roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown which has been welcomed broadly by businesses. It provides some degree of clarity. However, in the immediate term issues persist – particularly for industries unable to open as normal. One local Growth Hub has received a months’ worth of calls, webchats, emails … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 26th February 2021”