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”
Tag: The West Midlands
Devolution and Levelling Up: Boon or Bane for the Region?
Charlotte Hoole discusses the levelling up agenda, what it means for devolution, and what opportunities it presents for the West Midlands. 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 of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It … Continue reading “Devolution and Levelling Up: Boon or Bane for the Region?”
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”
Levelling Up Through Innovation
On 25th November 2021, Professor Simon Collinson took part in a House of Commons Select Committee to explore the role of technology, research and innovation in the UK’s recovery from Covid-19. In this blog, Simon discusses some of the key points to come out of the committee. What are the opportunities and challenges for R&D … Continue reading “Levelling Up Through Innovation”
Labour Market Disconnect in the West Midlands
In this blog, Dr Juliane Schwarz summarises the key issues on why there are currently high levels of unemployment in the region, whilst at the same time, record numbers of vacancies for jobs and apprenticeships. View the full policy briefing on the labour market disconnect. The research is a response to a query by the … Continue reading “Labour Market Disconnect in the West Midlands”
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”
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”
COP26 and the Green Economy; Opportunities and Challenges at the National and Regional Level
In the week of COP26, Courtney Stephenson explores the plans for green economic transformation in the West Midlands and considers how a new, green economy is an opportunity to place workers at the heart of the industrial revolution. Global Ambitions, Local Consequences This week the eyes of the world are on Glasgow, as the city … Continue reading “COP26 and the Green Economy; Opportunities and Challenges at the National and Regional Level”
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”