This week the IMF has dropped its expected growth forecast for many of the leading economies globally. This reflects disruptions to supply chains and a softening of consumption in the third quarter. As government spending is slowing down on Covid-19 relief programmes, many consumers are reining in their spending, especially as inflation is hitting prices … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 15 October 2021”
Tag: COVID-19
The Regional Economic Contribution of Student Expenditure: Implications for Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic
In this blog, Tasos Kitsos discusses his recent publication “Universities, students and regional economies: a symbiotic relationship?” with André Carrascal-Incera and Diana Gutiérrez-Posada. This research is part of the City-REDI project “The Impact of Universities on Regional Economies“. What is the economic contribution of students in the regions they study? What is the impact of … Continue reading “The Regional Economic Contribution of Student Expenditure: Implications for Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 1 October 2021
The optimism about the economic recovery that characterised many indices of business confidence in June and July has given way to a much more mixed picture as we move into Autumn. Recently it has become clear that multiple global issues, such as climate change, port delays, container shortages, HGV driver shortages, Covid-19 spikes and subsequent … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 1 October 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 17th September 2021
This fortnight there have been a number of significant announcements on social care financing, latest furlough data and the PMI, along with a cabinet reshuffle this week. Midlands MP Nadhim Zahawi is the new Education Secretary and Michael Gove has moved to MHCLG. As an avowed public sector reformer, this latter appointment could signal changes … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 17th September 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 3rd September 2021
Global news has been dominated by the departure of allied forces from Afghanistan. Nationally, the number of daily new Covid-19 cases per million people confirmed in the UK remains easily the highest out of the selected European countries and is at a level slightly above that recorded for the USA. Economically disruption to supply chains … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 3rd September 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 20th August 2021
Whilst the world is looking at events in Afghanistan, the UK has seen a resurgence in infection rates, and the number of daily new cases confirmed in the UK is now the highest out of the selected European countries. 8% of West Midlands adults reported they were self-isolating; the highest region in Great Britain for … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 20th August 2021”
State of the Region 2021 – The Key Challenges Facing the West Midlands
On the 4th August 2021, WMREDI and partners held an event to launch the State of the Region 2021 report. Rebecca Riley, Administrative Director, City-REDI /WM REDI, University of Birmingham and Head of Research and Office for Data Analytics ODA, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), provided an overview of this year’s State of the Region … Continue reading “State of the Region 2021 – The Key Challenges Facing the West Midlands”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 6th August 2021
This week three major intelligence products for partners have been launched. These are: (1) the Cultural Infrastructure Map – cultural facilities are the cornerstone of our arts and cultural ecology, which will help support the arts and cultural sector. (2) The WMREDI partnership launched the State of the Region 2021 and the reports can be … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 6th August 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 23rd July 2021
This week England has opened up, lifting most of the restrictions in place to date. This has been met with mixed reviews, especially as Covid-19 cases are rising. It remains to be seen what impact opening up has overall and how public perceptions and behaviour unfold over the coming weeks. The UK has seen a … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 23rd July 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 9th July 2021
This week the UK has seen a resurgence in infection rates, and the daily new cases confirmed in the UK are now the highest out of the selected European countries. This comes as vaccination rates per day in the UK fall and social distancing rules are relaxed, including the re-opening of pubs; which are seeing … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 9th July 2021”