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?”
Tag: Abigail Taylor
Skills and Regional Economic Development
Anne Green and Abigail Taylor discuss skills policy in the UK. How can we improve skill provision to reduce regional economical disparity? 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 … Continue reading “Skills and Regional Economic Development”
How Better Local Employment Support Could Help Tackle UK Labour Shortages
Abigail Taylor and Ceri Hughes discuss how a more local approach to Employment Support is needed to help tackle UK labour shortages. This blog was originally written for the conversation. This blog is also based on work conducted with Anne Green and Paul Sissons. There has been a rise in “economic inactivity” in the UK among … Continue reading “How Better Local Employment Support Could Help Tackle UK Labour Shortages”
International Women’s Week: Inequality Between Men and Women in the Workplace
Inequality between men and women in the workplace takes on many forms, including unequal pay, disparities in working hours and promotions, and differences in social norms and caring responsibilities. In celebration of International Women’s Week, Sara Hassan, Charlotte Hoole and Abigail Taylor discuss women in the workplace and how inequality can affect various factors like … Continue reading “International Women’s Week: Inequality Between Men and Women in the Workplace”
How do Fertility Rates and Childcare Costs Play out in the UK Labour Market?
Abigail Taylor discusses fertility rates and childcare costs within the UK Labour Market comparing the findings internationally. This blog is part of a series looking at the UK Labour Market. See also: – Why are the Over-50s Leaving the Workforce?- Labour Market Flows and Future Participation Flows – What Are the Current Challenges in the … Continue reading “How do Fertility Rates and Childcare Costs Play out in the UK Labour Market?”
Addressing Regional Inequalities
Abigail Taylor discusses a recent project which examines how four city-regions have made progress in reducing regional inequality. This project is associated with our Levelling Up projects and research, you can find out more information here. This is also a collaboration project with The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), you can download … Continue reading “Addressing Regional Inequalities”
Insights into Birmingham City Council’s Spending Power, Revenue Funding and Spending between 2010-11 and 2019-2020
A new report by Alice Pugh, Dr Abigail Taylor, and WMREDI intern Charlotte Tomlinson examines changes in Birmingham City Council’s income and expenditure over the decade between 2010/11 and 2019/20. In this blog, Alice and Abigail summarise the aims of the report, the methodological approach adopted and they key findings. They also discuss key messages … Continue reading “Insights into Birmingham City Council’s Spending Power, Revenue Funding and Spending between 2010-11 and 2019-2020”
What Are the Current Challenges in the UK Labour Market and How Can They Be Addressed?
Dr Kostas Kollydas and Dr Abigail Taylor discuss current labour market challenges faced in the UK. You can find more analyis on the UK Labour Market in our blog – Why are the Over-50s Leaving the Workforce? Labour Market Flows and Future Participation Flows. – How do Fertility Rates and Childcare Costs Play out in … Continue reading “What Are the Current Challenges in the UK Labour Market and How Can They Be Addressed?”
Local Funding Flows for Youth Employment and Skills
Anne Green and Abigail Taylor discuss their new project with Connecting Futures to identify, describe and map funding flows from national to local areas for youth employment and skills. Visit the Local Funding Flows for Youth Employment and Skills webpage. Background The Connected Futures Fund (CFF) is a £16 million fund from the Youth Futures … Continue reading “Local Funding Flows for Youth Employment and Skills”
Perspectives on the Future of Work and Training
Abigail Taylor looks at trends that might impact the future of work and training and what this could mean for the West Midlands. This article is part of larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that are having a transformative impact on business, economy, society, … Continue reading “Perspectives on the Future of Work and Training”