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”

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”

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”