Promoting the work of the City Region Economic and Development Institute (City REDI)
Liam O’Farrell discusses the idea of ‘Just Devolution’, whereby devolution is driven not by demands to stimulate growth but to create a more just society. Find out more about the Just City Project. Devolution is currently front and centre in British politics. There have been comparisons of the relative performance of the devolved governments in … Continue reading “The Case for a Just Devolution”
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”
James Davies and Matt Lyons report on the importance of higher education institutions in the development of regional creative clusters and the questions that remain unanswered. This project, in collaboration with the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre, compares two UK regions with growing creative sectors and asks how can regions optimise their creative clusters. … Continue reading “Comparing Creative Clusters in the West Midlands and South Wales”
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”
Sara Hassan reviews key evidence of changes in young people’s trajectories from education to employment in the West Midlands. The blog starts by explaining the UK context and then discusses key challenges and most effective recommendations. A selective review of research suggests that young people are not developing the relevant skills for the future labour … Continue reading “Trajectories of Young People From Education to Employment”
Mark Hart uses data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Annual Population Surveys to examine the impact COVID-19 has had on entrepreneurship in the UK. This blog highlights the work of a new project “Lifting the Lid on Enterprise Diversity & Growth in the West Midlands“, which will collect and analyse panel data on business … Continue reading “Entrepreneurial Behaviour and the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Collapse in Confidence or a Positive Response to Uncertainty?”
Events – Presenting work / Speaking engagements On 24th February, Matt Lyons presented at an LGA Roundtable – the role of Combined Authorities in supporting the creative industries – levelling up and economic development session. On 3rd March, Dr Abigail Taylor took part in an event discussing the findings from her recent report with CIPFA … Continue reading “City-REDI / WMREDI Round Up- March 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”
In the last fortnight we have seen considerable world turmoil, war in Eastern Europe, sanctions on Russia, further weakening of supply chains and escalating prices which are putting considerable stress on people and businesses. Whilst Covid-19 is still also in our midst, upheaval and migration could create greater risks of infection growth. However, it is … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 18 March 2022”
In partnership with the Midlands Engine, City-REDI / WMREDI staff have compiled several think pieces on key emerging trends on regional economic data points. View our Midlands Engine Observatory project page Flexible Working Patterns Firstly, Dr Abigail Taylor looks at flexible working patterns. Greater demand for flexible and hybrid working practices has emerged following the … Continue reading “Midlands Engine Observatory Academic Insights: Challenges and Opportunities for the Midlands Regional Economy”
