Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles, City-REDI, University of Birmingham, is leading a project examining in detail the likely impacts of Brexit on the UK’s sectors, regions and cities. In December 2017, Professor Ortega-Argiles and her team of co-investigators from the University of Sheffield, University of Groningen, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and the Erasmus University Rotterdam, published … Continue reading “Storify – The Economic Impacts of Brexit on the UK, its Regions, its Cities and its Sectors”
Worker to Robot or Self-employment and the Gig Economy? Divisions of Labour, Technology and the Transformation of Work
The 20th century was one of great technological innovation, but the 21st century will be perhaps even more transformational. It is possible to explore the impacts of former technological changes on today’s labour market. Between 1980 and 2012 per capita world output increased, on average, by 1.7% corresponding to a cumulative growth of just over … Continue reading “Worker to Robot or Self-employment and the Gig Economy? Divisions of Labour, Technology and the Transformation of Work “
What Poverty really looks like in the UK
In 2012, the UK had a higher poverty rate than most EU member states. While poverty rates have declined since then, this progress is now at risk since policy changes under the 2017 Autumn Budget. UK Poverty 2017 underlines that “overall 14 million people live in poverty in the UK – over one in five … Continue reading “What Poverty really looks like in the UK”
Commonwealth 2022 – How to maximise the impact of Mega Events
The Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham have the potential to be a catalyst for change, the challenge is to maximise that change within the demanding timescales. Looking to past mega events and evaluations can help us quickly adapt and adopt best practice and make decisions at speed. Yesterday morning I was part of a panel … Continue reading “Commonwealth 2022 – How to maximise the impact of Mega Events”
Multidimensionality of Poverty in the UK or How Poor is Poor?
Poverty is an on-going problem facing all societies, and there are many different ways of exploring the issue. On the one hand, there is concern with inequality, including the drivers behind the unequal allocation of advantage vs. disadvantage. On the other hand, there is concern with measurement and definition. In the latter case, poverty defined … Continue reading “Multidimensionality of Poverty in the UK or How Poor is Poor?”
Part B: The Consequences of Carillion’s Collapse
Carillion, the second-largest construction firm in the UK, were proud of their commitment to support regional growth and small-scale suppliers. As part of this commitment, they directed 60% of project expenditure to local economies. Following the collapse of the firm, this positive multiplier effect became a significant, negative multiplier effect, particularly damaging to small-scale suppliers … Continue reading “Part B: The Consequences of Carillion’s Collapse”
Women in Economic Development Research – Why the Woman’s Voice is Crucial: Part 4, View from an Experienced Researcher
City-REDI has published a series of blogs celebrating women in economic development and the contribution we make. They are inspired by the current experience of City-REDI which is pretty unusual in its numbers of women at all levels in the team; from senior management and leading academics, through to early career researchers and project support. … Continue reading “Women in Economic Development Research – Why the Woman’s Voice is Crucial: Part 4, View from an Experienced Researcher”
Helping achieve sustained employment outcomes through in-work support
This blog draws on work undertaken as part of the Big Lottery Fund Talent Match Evaluation and Learning Contract. The National Evaluation is led by CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University and the research on which this is based involves IER at the University of Warwick as well as City-REDI, University of Birmingham. The blog has been … Continue reading “Helping achieve sustained employment outcomes through in-work support”
The new Tigger-like Philip Hammond: a bounce too far?
Along comes March 13 2018, and with Spring comes a new form of commentary by the Chancellor on the state of UK Plc. There was an obvious spring in this statement, driven by the slightly faster growth rate of the UK economy. There are perhaps two points to consider from the Spring statement. The first … Continue reading “The new Tigger-like Philip Hammond: a bounce too far?”
Part A: The Causes of Carillion’s Collapse
Racing to secure bids over rival construction companies, Carillion, the second-largest construction firm in the UK, hit a financial tipping point, lost the backing of the banks and collapsed. Its aggressive growth strategy and the diversification of its business portfolio increased the complexity of its internal structure. Coupled with poor oversight of its day-to-day operations, … Continue reading “Part A: The Causes of Carillion’s Collapse”