West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 17 February 2023

Recent international news has been dominated by a huge Turkey-Syria earthquake and by mounting tension between the USA and China regarding the shooting down of a balloon and unidentified flying objects in US airspace. In the UK the Bank of England raised interest rates once again in early February. Inflation is decreasing slightly but remains … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 17 February 2023”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 February 2023

This fortnight the second round of the Levelling Up Fund has been announced causing a significant reaction. We have yet to see the full results of the inquiry into the Levelling Up policy implementation and what it may say about the process.  The IMF is still not positive about the UK economy; the forecast has … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 February 2023”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 20 January 2023

This week, we report on the public opinions and social trends survey and the most reported issues continue to be the cost of living (92%), the NHS (85%), the economy (75%), and climate change and the environment (58%). This aligns with the WEF global risks report, and the issues businesses are facing. The Commonwealth Games … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 20 January 2023”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 6th January 2023

We are seeing severe unseasonal weather with Europe seeing high temperatures, closing ski resorts and the US seeing temperatures as low as -45C. At home the most important pressures facing the UK are the cost of living (93%), the NHS (81%), the economy (78%), and climate change and the environment (58%). Around 9 in 10 … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor- 6th January 2023”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 9 December 2022

In this edition we look at the price of the UK’s 12 favourite Christmas dinner trimmings, the price of a traditional Christmas dinner (for a family of 4 or 5) has increased 17.6% from £32.93 in November 2021 to £38.72 in November 2022. However, despite the general gloom of cost-of-living an Ipsos report found that … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 9 December 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 25 November 2022

This fortnight we saw another budget announcement, which has highlighted the global and national economic situation post pandemic and makes it difficult to read, we have a full summary of activities and an assessment of some of the implications for the region. PMI is reflecting the low current business confidence, as energy prices rise, and … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 25 November 2022”