Long COVID: Job Loss, Work Hours and Mental Health of Workers

Darja Reuschke explains some of the key findings of her latest paper with Donald Houston and Paul Sissons on the impacts of Long COVID on workers. Context COVID-19 infections are on the rise again. While for some, the symptoms will be flu-like, for others, an infection with the virus will cause long-term illness. By the … Continue reading “Long COVID: Job Loss, Work Hours and Mental Health of Workers”

The Post-pandemic Migration Shift? How Remote Work May Be Changing Where We Live

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, especially for high-skilled workers, leading to questions about its impact on internal migration patterns. In our latest blog, Darja Reuschke and Julie MacLeavy explore the link between remote working and migration. This blog is informed by the research presented in the book chapter ‘Reshaping the geography … Continue reading “The Post-pandemic Migration Shift? How Remote Work May Be Changing Where We Live”

Doing the Right Thing – Lending Amongst Uncertainty

James Russell, former Head of Marketing and Impact at BCRS Business Loans discusses how business confidence is low, and how economic circumstances are becoming more difficult. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review, published in September 2023.  The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham … Continue reading “Doing the Right Thing – Lending Amongst Uncertainty”

What Is Behind the UK’s Labour Shortage?

Professor Donald Houston and Stephen Hunsaker explore the UK labour shortage, suggesting that a combination of baby boomers retiring, high Covid infection rates during the pandemic, capacity constraints in the NHS, and Brexit are all at play. This article was first published in the UK in a Changing Europe website. Much has happened in the … Continue reading “What Is Behind the UK’s Labour Shortage?”

The Heavy Weight of Covid Loans on the Hospitality Industry

Tracey Stephenson, Managing Director of Staying Cool, discusses how the UK’s hospitality industry suffered disproportionately during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 “The Heavy Weight of Covid Loans on the Hospitality Industry”

EUniWell Policy Commission: Young People and the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Paul Vallance discusses his work with EUniWell and the policy commission he was involved in looking at the education, employment, and mental health of young people across Europe. Since 2020, the University of Birmingham has been a member of EUniWell, an EU-funded alliance of 11 universities across Europe that work together to support the well-being … Continue reading “EUniWell Policy Commission: Young People and the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Reflections on an Academic’s Secondment to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Donald Houston discusses his recent secondment at the ONS. What did he learn whilst he was there and what did the ONS gain from having an academic on board? I am a labour market researcher and a long-time user of ONS data.  I have always been impressed at the quality and precision of the labelling … Continue reading “Reflections on an Academic’s Secondment to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)”

Tune in to the City-REDI / WMREDI Podcast

We launched our podcast series last summer, and since then we’ve discussed a whole range of regional and national issues with experts from business, economics, transport, education, work, skills and local government. Each episode is no more than 30 minutes long and ready to be downloaded to listen to on your commute, lunch break or … Continue reading “Tune in to the City-REDI / WMREDI Podcast”

Birmingham in Crisis: Understanding the Challenge of Local Authority Budget Cuts and the Effect on Good Financial Management

Rebecca Riley and Abigail Taylor discusses the recent financial crisis to hit Birmingham City Council, and how the root of the issues facing this council and others around the UK, are a decade in the making. This week it was announced that Birmingham City Council faces a spending freeze and greater scrutiny of its budget. An … Continue reading “Birmingham in Crisis: Understanding the Challenge of Local Authority Budget Cuts and the Effect on Good Financial Management”

It’s the Pandemic, Stupid. Understanding Rising Economic Inactivity in the UK.

Donald Houston discusses research undertaken with colleagues at the ONS on economic inactivity in the UK. 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 UK … Continue reading “It’s the Pandemic, Stupid. Understanding Rising Economic Inactivity in the UK.”