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”
Tag: COVID-19
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”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 8th July 2022
This week has been a tumultuous week in politics and is still unfolding as this monitor is written. This will not help the instability in the economy, which continues to show signs of contraction. The latest MakeUK Survey shows exports on a precipice and investment nosediving, and the OBR are predicting the effects of the … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 8th July 2022”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 24th June 2022
The latest Purchasing Managers Index has left confidence falling to a 19-month low, but some firms remained upbeat due to new product launches, marketing efforts and expansion plans to support output over the course of the coming year. Business optimism was generally restricted due to acute inflationary pressures, issues with transportation, a challenging economic climate, … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 24th June 2022”
Over 50s in the Labour Market
Professor Anne Green discusses the fall in labour market participation for the over-50s in the UK and the West Midlands, the barriers they face accessing learning and employment and how we can help them back into the workforce. Introduction With the number of vacancies nationally outstripping the numbers of unemployed people and many employers facing … Continue reading “Over 50s in the Labour Market”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10th June 2022
This fortnight the key data release is the long awaited GVA for 2020, which is the first one to reflect the impact of Covid-19. The region has kept its economy above the £100bn mark but dropped to £102bn, a decrease of 4.5% (generally across all GVA indicators the region performs poorly against the UK). This … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10th June 2022”
West Midlands Impact Monitor- 27th May 2022
China’s economy is slowing, the US economy is hampered by a tight jobs market and Europe is struggling with labour shortages and a cost of living crisis. In the UK the increase in energy bills is contributing to the rising cost of living, and the West Midlands has a greater proportion of households in fuel … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 27th May 2022”
Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham
Barny Evans looks at the challenges that Birmingham faces when adapting to climate change and Covid-19. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration … Continue reading “Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham”
West Midlands Impact Monitor- 13th May 2022
High inflation rates are combining with slower economic growth. The rising cost of living remains a key concern. These trends are partly fuelled by war in Ukraine, with geopolitical tensions heightening as Sweden and Finland sign new security deals with European allies. Regionally, the West Midlands Business Activity Index has decreased. But the picture is … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor- 13th May 2022”
Back Issues of the West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor
WMREDI has been tasked with providing an up to date monitor of the current COVID-19 economic impacts, on a weekly basis. These reports will help regional partners to shape responses and interventions to boost the region’s resilience so that it can thrive going forward. Each week the focus of the report is based on research … Continue reading “Back Issues of the West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor”