Improving Public Funding Allocations to Reduce Geographical Inequalities

This blog shares details of a new project called ‘Improving public funding allocations to reduce geographical inequalities’, involving an inter-disciplinary multi-institution team led by Charlotte Hoole (Principal Investigator), Anne Green, Sheela Agarwal, Sarah Ayres, Jon Burchell, Ceri Davies, Jonathan Davies, Mike Emmerich, Daniel Mutibwa and Andy Pike, with James Gilmour, Abigail Taylor and Sanne Velthuis. … Continue reading “Improving Public Funding Allocations to Reduce Geographical Inequalities”

Megatrends in the Midlands 2023

Megatrends are an issue that City-REDI has written about previously. We have a fantastic podcast series which is well worth a listen to and a 2021 report focussing on the West Midlands. This latest blog is written to coincide with a new report produced by City-REDI in collaboration with the Midlands Engine looking at Megatrends … Continue reading “Megatrends in the Midlands 2023”

How England’s Devolution Catch-22 Stands in the Way of Balanced Growth

Charlotte Hoole, Jack Newman and Simon Collinson discuss their recent paper that shows a lack of decentralisation is limiting the capacity and capability of local institutions to devise and implement growth and development strategies important for locally-driven ‘levelling-up’ in England. In recent years, the UK has experienced increased economic and social inequalities. Of particular concern … Continue reading “How England’s Devolution Catch-22 Stands in the Way of Balanced Growth”

How to Improve Regional Productivity Levers in England and Wales

Helen Tilley, Jack Newman and Charlotte Hoole discuss their recent paper on whether UK regions have the policy levers they need to improve productivity, exploring the link between devolution and productivity. This blog was first published on the Wales Centre for Public Policy blogsite. Much has been written about the UK’s productivity puzzle. If the … Continue reading “How to Improve Regional Productivity Levers in England and Wales”

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”

Labour’s Plan to Put “The Right Powers in the Right Places”

In December 2022, the Labour Party published a new report which promised to decentralise political power in the UK by putting “the right powers in the right places”. Dr Charlotte Hoole and Dr Matt Lyons evaluate how Labour’s proposals differ from the current system and what it could mean for the West Midlands. In December … Continue reading “Labour’s Plan to Put “The Right Powers in the Right Places””

City-REDI’s West Midlands Databook – let us know what you think about it!

Following the popularity of our West Midlands Databook in 2017, City-REDI will be releasing a 2018 version this summer showcasing the latest regional data. In preparation, we would welcome your feedback. How have you used the Databook? What impact has it had on your work? And what changes, if any, would you like to see … Continue reading “City-REDI’s West Midlands Databook – let us know what you think about it!”

Women in Economic Development Research – Why the Woman’s Voice is Crucial: Part 3, View from an Early Career Researcher

This series of blogs celebrates 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. We all have … Continue reading “Women in Economic Development Research – Why the Woman’s Voice is Crucial: Part 3, View from an Early Career Researcher”

USE-IT! Unlocking Social and Economic Innovation Together

Since the announcement of our successful bid for EU Innovative Actions Funding in collaboration with CURS and led by Birmingham City Council, the USE-IT! project (Unlocking Social and Economic Innovation Together) has published its first Expert Journal. The aim of USE-IT! is to develop a systematic approach to engaging poor and migrant communities in urban … Continue reading “USE-IT! Unlocking Social and Economic Innovation Together”