On 2nd March 2023, City-REDI held their second hybrid seminar with Zhifu Mi, Professor of Climate Change Economics, UCL. Watch the seminar below. Cities are at the forefront of the battle against climate change. However, intercity comparisons and responsibility allocations among cities are hindered because cost- and time-effective methods to calculate the carbon footprints of … Continue reading “Carbon Emission Accounting of Cities”
The Nexus of Innovation
Simon Collinson, Fengjie Pan and Pei-Yu Yuan examine Research and Development (R&D) funding in the UK. Does it create equal regional growth across the country? This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater … Continue reading “The Nexus of Innovation”
Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century
What is smart energy? Annum Rafique discusses what it is, how it works and its potential to help us achieve net-zero. This blog was first published on the College of Social Science blog. Smart Energy has been identified as an energy system for the 21st Century which utilises digital technologies to monitor energy needs, make … Continue reading “Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century”
“I Blame the Green Book”- Why has Guidance Become the Scape Goat of Public Funding Decisions like Levelling Up?
Rebecca Riley outlines some of the misconceptions around the use of the Green Book. As part of the Y-PERN conference held recently, I had a slot on a session about the Green Book, partly because I chair the Green Book User Network Steering Group, but also because City-REDI does a lot of work helping partners … Continue reading ““I Blame the Green Book”- Why has Guidance Become the Scape Goat of Public Funding Decisions like Levelling Up?”
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”
The Spring Budget 2023: What Does it Mean for the West Midlands?
On 15th March, the government released its Spring Budget. Alice Pugh and Maryna Ramcharan examine the budget’s impact on the West Midlands. The key announcements from the budget and initial analysis can be seen here. This budget is the first budget since the turmoil of the autumn ‘mini budget’ 2022 and the second autumn budget … Continue reading “The Spring Budget 2023: What Does it Mean for the West Midlands?”
The Poorest UK Households are Hit Hardest by the Highest Rate of Firm Failure
With bankruptcies on the rise in the UK, Simon Collinson, Matt Lyons and Huanjia Ma look at the impact of firm failure on the economy, employment and households. Data released by the Insolvency Service at the end of January shows that firm insolvencies, or bankruptcies, in England and Wales reached the highest level since 2009. … Continue reading “The Poorest UK Households are Hit Hardest by the Highest Rate of Firm Failure”
All Our Money: The Impossible Job of Running Birmingham City Council
On 15th March, Stan’s Cafe put on a sold-out performance about how Birmingham City Council spends £3,000,000,000 of our money. The event was held at The Exchange, University of Birmingham. Here’s what we learned from the play. Annoyed about your bins not being picked up again, or the ridiculous number of bollards that just popped … Continue reading “All Our Money: The Impossible Job of Running Birmingham City Council”
Business Support Re-Organisation in England at a Time of Crisis
Mark Hart discusses changes to business support in England and its impact on businesses. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the … Continue reading “Business Support Re-Organisation in England at a Time of Crisis”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 17 March 2023
The West Midlands Combined Authority has a boost of £1.5bn for the “Trailblazer” devolution programme as part of the Budget announcements. The Deeper Devolution Deal plans include greater responsibility for affordable housing provision, public transport with the extension of the Metro between Dudley and Brierley Hill, and the retention of business rates. Budget 2023 Amongst … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 17 March 2023”