The Launch of the WMREDI Story

The WMREDI Story was launched on Thursday, 10 October, at The Exchange, University of Birmingham. The report provides an in-depth look at the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute’s (WMREDI) successes, challenges, achievements, and impact. Find out more and download the WMREDI Story A brief history of WMREDI WMREDI was based at the University of … Continue reading “The Launch of the WMREDI Story”

Expert Insight: Developing Skills for Innovation and Business Growth in the West Midlands

Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development and Co-Director of City-REDI, University of Birmingham, is a commissioner for the Business Commission West Midlands. She has been supporting engagement in the region’s business community and the creation of the final ‘Roadmap for Business Growth’ report. In this blog, Anne reflects on her role in the commission … Continue reading “Expert Insight: Developing Skills for Innovation and Business Growth in the West Midlands”

Tax Rises Less Regressive Than Spending Cuts – How Does the Council Financial Crisis Impact Households?

There is increasing concern about the financial viability of some local authorities with estimates by the LGA suggesting that councils in England are facing a funding gap of £4 billion. In 2023 Birmingham City Council (BCC) was served a section 114 notice. This means that effectively the council ran out of money. In short, BCC … Continue reading “Tax Rises Less Regressive Than Spending Cuts – How Does the Council Financial Crisis Impact Households?”

Vision to Legacy

Anne Green looks back at the achievements of the now-defunct Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), summarising some of the findings from our report about the partnership – From Vision to Legacy. What were the Local Enterprise Partnerships? Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) were non-statutory bodies responsible for local economic development in England, until … Continue reading “Vision to Legacy”

The King’s Speech – The Economic Impact for the West Midlands

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”

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?”