Young People, Employment and Wellbeing

Paul Vallance discusses the impact of Covid-19 on the well-being of young people in Birmingham, which affected their mental health, education and employment opportunities. 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 … Continue reading “Young People, Employment and Wellbeing”

Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?

Beth Clewes discusses the impact of Covid-19, Brexit, energy prices and inflation on business confidence in the region. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?”

The Launch of the Birmingham Economic Review 2022

On 20 October 2022, a launch event was held for the Birmingham Economic Review. This blog provides a summary of some of the key points to come out of the event. The Birmingham Economic Review (BER) is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “The Launch of the Birmingham Economic Review 2022”

Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace

Urban greenspace typically refers to public parks, street verges, and sports grounds owned by the local council. Ros McDermott argues that urban greenspace is a resource for health, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) should ensure equitable access to these spaces with a particular focus on people hit hardest by the pandemic. This article … Continue reading “Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace”

Megatrends in the West Midlands: The ‘New Normal’ Must Embrace ‘Building Back Better’

Johannes Read delves into how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people and businesses work in the city centre as the UK emerges from the crisis. This article is part of a larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that are having a transformative … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: The ‘New Normal’ Must Embrace ‘Building Back Better’”

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Podcast Series

What are megatrends? Megatrends are major movements, patterns or trends that have a transformative impact on the economy, business, society, cultures and personal lives. In a series of podcasts, City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham examines the impacts of megatrends in the West Midlands, by speaking to a series of experts from the region. We … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: Podcast Series”

West Midlands Impact Monitor – 19th August 2022

This week has seen rapidly rising inflation globally and a return to double-digit inflation in the UK for the first time in 40 years. Extreme weather events continue to cause concern, with drought conditions in parts of Europe, low river levels and wildfires. With athletes leaving Birmingham, attention is focused on capitalising on the impact … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor – 19th August 2022”

West Midlands Impact Monitor- 5th August 2022

This week has seen a more pessimistic growth outlook from the IMF and rising geopolitical tensions between the USA and China over Taiwan. In sporting news, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are underway and the England women’s football team were victorious in the Euro 2022 competition. Global growth outlook The IMF has reduced their global … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 5th August 2022”

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Business Models and Operations

Alice Pugh examines some of the key trends impacting businesses and their operations in the West Midlands. Many of these trends started before the pandemic, but Covid-19 has accelerated them. This article is part of a larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that are … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: Business Models and Operations”

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Urban Responses to Pandemics and Economic Shocks

In this piece, Liam O’Farrell draws from a range of case studies to explore how cities have responded to and been shaped by pandemics and economic shocks.   It 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 … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: Urban Responses to Pandemics and Economic Shocks”