REDI-Updates: Cost-Of-Living Crisis – The Impact of the Crisis and the Supply-Side Failures Driving It

The latest edition of REDI-Updates is out now – providing expert data insights and clear policy guidance. In this edition, the WMREDI team investigates what factors are contributing to the cost-of-living crisis and the impact it is having on households, businesses, public services and the third sector. We also look at how the crisis in … Continue reading “REDI-Updates: Cost-Of-Living Crisis – The Impact of the Crisis and the Supply-Side Failures Driving It”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 7 July 2023

Business conditions continue to remain challenging, but estimates show some signs of improvement: (1) a smaller proportion of businesses report supply chain disruption, (2) more businesses report that they are able to get materials, goods, and services from within the UK, and (3) fewer businesses report price inflation of goods and services or energy prices … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 7 July 2023”

West Midlands Impact Monitor – 6 April 2023

This is the 100th edition of the Monitor! The first one was published in late March 2020. At that time, PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) had dropped to 37.1, 1 in 3 businesses had closed due to regulation, Jaguar Land Rover had shut its production plants, and the numbers of calls for business support were increasing … Continue reading “West Midlands Impact Monitor – 6 April 2023”

The Nexus of Innovation

Simon Collinson, Fengjie Pan and Pei-Yu Yuan examine Research and Development (R&D) funding in the UK. Does it create equal regional growth across the country? This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater … Continue reading “The Nexus of Innovation”

The Spring Budget 2023: What Does it Mean for the West Midlands?

On 15th March, the government released its Spring Budget. Alice Pugh and Maryna Ramcharan examine the budget’s impact on the West Midlands. The key announcements from the budget and initial analysis can be seen here. This budget is the first budget since the turmoil of the autumn ‘mini budget’ 2022 and the second autumn budget … Continue reading “The Spring Budget 2023: What Does it Mean for the West Midlands?”

Business Support Re-Organisation in England at a Time of Crisis

Mark Hart discusses changes to business support in England and its impact on businesses. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022.  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 of the … Continue reading “Business Support Re-Organisation in England at a Time of Crisis”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 17 March 2023

The West Midlands Combined Authority has a boost of £1.5bn for the “Trailblazer” devolution programme as part of the Budget announcements. The Deeper Devolution Deal plans include greater responsibility for affordable housing provision, public transport with the extension of the Metro between Dudley and Brierley Hill, and the retention of business rates. Budget 2023 Amongst … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 17 March 2023”

Shedding Light on Productivity in the West Midlands

Rebecca Riley discusses a new report examining productivity in the West Midlands. The report is written by Melisa Wickham and is in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority. This report focuses on labour productivity – which measures how much output is produced per unit of labour input. There are varying measures of labour input, … Continue reading “Shedding Light on Productivity in the West Midlands”

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”