Reen Blake-Carr uses the WMREDI City Index Model to compare the performance of three major cities in the West Midlands – Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton. View the City Index, part of the WMREDI Data Lab. About the City Index The City Index looks at different cities in the region and evaluates them based on 10 … Continue reading “The City Index: Comparing The Major Three Cities in the West Midlands”
Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?
Beth Clewes discusses the impact of Covid-19, Brexit, energy prices and inflation on business confidence in the region. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?”
Energy Price Cap Reduction
Alice Pugh looks at the potential impact of the removal of the energy price cap for households in the West Midlands. The removal of the energy price cap from April 2023 will have a massive impact on energy bills for households within the WMCA area. The West Midlands region has the largest number of fuel-poor … Continue reading “Energy Price Cap Reduction”
City-REDI / WMREDI Round Up – October 2022
Events – presenting work / speaking engagements City-REDI / WMREDI held two fringe events during the party conference season. Professor Adam Tickell hosted the second event held at The Exchange. On 19th October, City-REDI / WMREDI hosted the Civic Network Advisory Group Dinner at The Exchange. On 20th October, City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers … Continue reading “City-REDI / WMREDI Round Up – October 2022”
Political Party Approaches to University R&D and Innovation in the UK
Steve Barwick writes about the approaches of the UK’s two major political parties to University R&D and Innovation. City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham recently hosted fringe meetings at both the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences in order to gauge and explore the respective political party’s approach to university R&D and innovation, including its role … Continue reading “Political Party Approaches to University R&D and Innovation in the UK”
Megatrends and the West Midlands: Generations
Liam O’Farrell examines the age-old trope of intergenerational conflict. Does the evidence support the idea of generations at war or is categorising people by age a poor way of understanding our society? This article is part of larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that … Continue reading “Megatrends and the West Midlands: Generations”
West Midlands Impact Monitor – 28th October 2022
Rishi Sunak is now UK Prime Minister. Concerns about inflation remain paramount for businesses, households and individuals. Russia has continued its targeted attack on Ukrainian energy supplies since last Monday, with an estimated 1.5m households now without electricity. Almost a third of Ukraine’s power stations and other energy-generating facilities having been destroyed in the attacks … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor – 28th October 2022”
The Launch of the Birmingham Economic Review 2022
On 20 October 2022, a launch event was held for the Birmingham Economic Review. This blog provides a summary of some of the key points to come out of the event. The Birmingham Economic Review (BER) is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “The Launch of the Birmingham Economic Review 2022”
Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace
Urban greenspace typically refers to public parks, street verges, and sports grounds owned by the local council. Ros McDermott argues that urban greenspace is a resource for health, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) should ensure equitable access to these spaces with a particular focus on people hit hardest by the pandemic. This article … Continue reading “Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace”
WMREDI Policy Briefing: Financial Resilience During Economic Decline
In this policy briefing, Dr Amir Qamar, Dr Emma Gardner, Professor Anne Green and Professor Simon Collinson review the financial health of the largest 50 manufacturing firms within the West Midlands. Introduction The ongoing impact of the UK’s departure from the EU, the aftermath of the pandemic, and the recent depreciation of the pound provide … Continue reading “WMREDI Policy Briefing: Financial Resilience During Economic Decline”