Infection rates from the Omicron variant remain high but are falling. On 19 January it was announced that England’s Plan B measures would end from 27 January, with use of mandatory face coverings in public places and Covid passports both discontinued, while the advice for people to work from home has been dropped with immediate … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 21 January 2022”
Tag: Regional economics
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 7 January 2022
This week we have seen infections from the Omicron variant rise to new highs. Plan B restrictions remain in place and the NHS and other frontline services are under strain. The hospitality and live events sectors have lost crucial income over the Christmas and New Year trading period. Concerns about inflation continue, including as a … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 7 January 2022”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10 December 2021
This week we see the rise of the new variant of Covid-19 which could be set to slow economic recovery down. Omicron developed in southern Africa and has now spread worldwide. New restrictions are emerging in many countries. This is leading to mass protests and in some cases violence, as citizens see this as an … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 10 December 2021”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 26 November 2021
Globally we are seeing the majority of economies starting to recover; however, the speed of job creation is generally lagging behind, unable to compensate for earlier employment losses; especially in developing economies. Currently, the UN is predicting the global unemployment rate will hit 6.3%, falling to 5.7% in 2022, above the pre-pandemic level of 5.4%. … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 26 November 2021”
Regional Growth Opportunities: Building Productivity and Resilience Through Supply Chains
Dr Wanrong Zhang & Prof Jan Godsell discuss the importance of supply chains for the region, the issues affecting them, and why we should develop a regional ‘supply chain productivity’ goal. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University … Continue reading “Regional Growth Opportunities: Building Productivity and Resilience Through Supply Chains”
Build Back Better? The Real Challenges of Levelling Up Post-Pandemic
Professor Simon Collinson writes about some of the challenges that lie ahead to sustain the tentative economic recovery in the West Midlands and level up the region. This article was first featured as a Birmingham Brief. The Covid pandemic has hit the UK economy harder than most other OECD countries and the West Midlands … Continue reading “Build Back Better? The Real Challenges of Levelling Up Post-Pandemic”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 29 October 2021
Economic news this week has been dominated by the Budget and Spending Review in the UK. Preparations are ongoing for COP 26 in Glasgow, and the increased profile of the climate emergency is causing businesses to consider their carbon footprint, and take steps to mitigate its growth. Businesses remain concerned about rising cost pressures and … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 29 October 2021”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 15 October 2021
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”
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”