West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 April 2025

Concerns about geopolitical risks and further fragmentation of the global economy are leading to policy uncertainty and a weakening of business and consumer sentiment. In the Spring Statement the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer announced welfare reforms and civil service cost cuts, alongside an increase in defence spending. Businesses and households are facing increasing bills … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 April 2025”

What is the anticipated impact of the Spring Statement 2025?

There were few new announcements in this Spring Statement, the most significant announcements have been in changes to benefits and welfare. Below sets out the government current fiscal plans and their impact following the spring statement discussed by Alice Pugh. Benefits and Welfare There have been significant changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) and Universal … Continue reading “What is the anticipated impact of the Spring Statement 2025?”

The Spring Statement 2025

In her first Spring Statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made few announcements. The Spring Statement has had few new policy and fiscal announcements; however, this is not too unusual for the Spring Statement. There will be more announcements around departmental spending in June following a spending review. Alice Pugh looks at the key … Continue reading “The Spring Statement 2025”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 30 January 2025

In the first 2025 edition of the West Midland’s Impact Monitor, President Trump re-entered the White House as the 47th President of the USA in January 2025. The Trump presidency is expected to foster a more protectionist trade environment. Renewed trade hostilities could disrupt global commerce, create supply chain bottlenecks and most likely increase costs … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 30 January 2025”

Demonstrating the Economic Impacts of Civic Universities

Alice Pugh discusses the need for universities to improve how they measure and assess their civic and economic impact, particularly in relation to regional inequalities. It critiques current impact assessments for being overly prescriptive and lacking a clear rationale, urging universities to integrate these assessments into strategic frameworks and develop more dynamic, locally contextualized evaluations … Continue reading “Demonstrating the Economic Impacts of Civic Universities”

Birmingham Economic Review 2024: A Year of Hope and Recovery

Alice Pugh, Emily Stubbs, and Gemma Dilkes summarise the key points in this year’s Birmingham Economic Review, produced by City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. The review highlights the ongoing recovery of the Greater Birmingham Economy that the city-region has been experiencing, during a period of UK and global political uncertainty. Highlighting both … Continue reading “Birmingham Economic Review 2024: A Year of Hope and Recovery”

Key Announcements From the Autumn Budget 2024

Alice Pugh provides a breakdown of the key announcements in the first Labour budget since 2010. This budget will also be the first delivered by the first female Chancellor of the UK. OBR Economic Fiscal Outlook Today the budget economic forecasts for the next 5 years are released by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). … Continue reading “Key Announcements From the Autumn Budget 2024”

Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Financial, Commercial and Managerial Cases

Alice Pugh explains the importance of having financial, commercial and managerial cases when raising a business case. This blog was first posted by the National Civic Impact Accelerator, based at Sheffield Hallam University. They are part of a series looking at what a business case is and how to develop one at a University. Visit … Continue reading “Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Financial, Commercial and Managerial Cases”

West Midlands Combined Authority Deeper Devolution Deal

Alice Pugh discusses the West Midland Combined Authority (WMCA) Deeper Devolution Deal and the main issues local institutes face. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy … Continue reading “West Midlands Combined Authority Deeper Devolution Deal”

Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Strategic and Economic Cases

Alice Pugh explains the importance of having both a strategic and an economic case when raising a business case. This blog was first posted by the National Civic Impact Accelerator, based at Sheffield Hallam University. They are part of a series looking at what a business case is and how to develop one at a … Continue reading “Developing a Business Case: Introduction to the Strategic and Economic Cases”