Alice Pugh discusses the key bills highlighted during the King’s Speech and what they might mean for the economy of the West Midlands. This blog was first posted on the Birmingham Business School blog. This week the King delivered the first King’s Speech since 1951, though the King had previously delivered the speech when the … Continue reading “The King’s Speech – The Economic Impact for the West Midlands”
Category: West Midlands
Early Assessment of the Digital Innovators Ideator
The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) commissioned an independent report, produced by City-REDI, which evaluates the programme theory and impact of the Digital Innovators Ideator. Alice Pugh discusses the evalution. The Ideator is a programme for young people (aged 16 to 24), focusing on young people at risk of becoming NEET (not … Continue reading “Early Assessment of the Digital Innovators Ideator”
The West Midlands as a Regional Test bed for Innovation Policy and Support
George Bramley summarises the main findings of a new WMREDI report ‘Early Assessment of the West Midlands Innovation Programme’ whilst Dr Jamie Elliot reflects on how the findings have contributed to shaping provision going forward. Programmes to support innovation have tended to be designed centrally focusing on specific aspects of the research, development, and innovation … Continue reading “The West Midlands as a Regional Test bed for Innovation Policy and Support”
The Potential Impact of Youth Social Prescribing in the West Midlands on Employment and the Economy: Recommendations Report
Joanne Mills from the University of Wolverhampton delivers an update on the Institute for Community Research and Development’s current project with WMREDI to identify the potential impact of youth social prescribing within the West Midlands on employment and the economy. Visit the Institute for Community Research and Development (ICRD) webpage. Social prescribing aims to help … Continue reading “The Potential Impact of Youth Social Prescribing in the West Midlands on Employment and the Economy: Recommendations Report”
What Could the £4 billion Expansion of Childcare Support mean for the West Midlands Economy?
In the 2023 Spring Statement the UK Government announced plans to expand free childcare to children between 9 months and 2 years old. Matt Lyons and Abi Taylor investigate what this could mean for the West Midlands. The UK Government announced a £4bn childcare expansion policy in England. Key objectives of the policy include removing … Continue reading “What Could the £4 billion Expansion of Childcare Support mean for the West Midlands Economy?”
The Creative Sector Vision: What Does It Say and What Might It Mean for the West Midlands?
On Wednesday the UK Government released the Creative Sector Vision a highly anticipated update to creative policy. Dr Matt Lyons provides a summary of the document and some initial reflections on what it could mean for the region. The Creative Sector Vision published yesterday is the much-anticipated latest iteration of the UK Government’s policy for … Continue reading “The Creative Sector Vision: What Does It Say and What Might It Mean for the West Midlands?”
Podcast: Productivity in the West Midlands
In the latest City-REDI podcast, Associate Professor Rebecca Riley and Charlotte Horobin, Region Director for the Midlands & East of England for Made UK, discuss a recent report looking at productivity in the West Midlands, produced by WMREDI. The Podcast covered the following topics: Report Findings Vs Charlotte’s Manufacturing Knowledge Rebecca and Charlotte talk about … Continue reading “Podcast: Productivity in the West Midlands”
Screen Skills, Shortages and Silicon Spa
Dr James Davies and Dr Matt Lyons discuss how we can solve the creative skills shortage in the West Midlands. This blog and research is part of a project for the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. The phenomenon of skills shortages in the creative industries is well-known in the academic literature and policy debates. … Continue reading “Screen Skills, Shortages and Silicon Spa”
What Characteristics Influence the Retention/Migration Decisions of Birmingham Graduates?
Anne Green and Kostas Kollydas provide a breakdown of the type of graduates that remain in the region after they complete their degrees. The skills composition of the labour force plays a vital role in a region’s productivity, economic growth and innovation capabilities. In this context, creating the conditions for retaining highly skilled university graduates … Continue reading “What Characteristics Influence the Retention/Migration Decisions of Birmingham Graduates?”
Supporting Digitalisation in Birmingham’s Professional Business Financial Service Sector
A new report, in collaboration with The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, evaluates a pilot programme utilizing the ‘No Code’ approach to developing apps for businesses in the West Midlands as well as teaching young people digital skills. The Business Professional Financial Services (BPFS) sector is the largest sector by turnover, employment, and … Continue reading “Supporting Digitalisation in Birmingham’s Professional Business Financial Service Sector”