This week’s Monitor shows how, generally, the world economy is picking up with pent up demand starting to be released as countries unlock. However, in the UK this week there are stark warnings about the food and drink industry facing labour shortages, especially in fresh food and haulage. This is mainly due to the impact … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 25th June 2021”
Tag: The West Midlands
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 11th June 2021
This week’s monitor looks at the delayed GVA statistics for 2019, where the region’s growth was lower than expected. Many indicators and surveys are pointing to an emerging recovery, but it is highly dependent on the opening up of the cities and high streets. Published research is turning to the opening up of cities and … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 11th June 2021”
Harnessing the Potential of Createch in the West Midlands
In this blog, Tasos Kitsos summarises the WMREDI/PEC event held virtually at the end of April. A recording of the event is available here. Special thanks are owed to the WMREDI staff Stuart Mitchell and Matthew Patterson for providing support for the event as well as of course to our guest speakers. In recent years, … Continue reading “Harnessing the Potential of Createch in the West Midlands”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 28th May 2021
This week ONS released the latest GVA (for 2018-2019): the UK average was 3.5% GVA growth. WMCA GVA grew by 1.99% to £106.7bn in 2019, which is lower than expected for that year by many forecasters (Oxford Economics had forecast £110.8bn and are currently revising their forecasts). The Black Country grew by 1.29% to £22.3bn … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 28th May 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 14th May 2021
This week we welcome Andy Street back as Mayor. Following the easing of restrictions, signs of recovery and opening up may signal a new positive phase in the pandemic. We are also pleased to let readers know that the WMCA approach through the Monitor and the State of the Region has received recognition from the … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 14th May 2021”
Priorities for up-Skilling and Re-Skilling: What Role Can and Should Universities Play?
In this blog, Dr Abigail Taylor, Professor Anne Green and Dr Sara Hassan share findings from their recent research project examining the role that universities and colleges in the West Midlands can and should play in up-skilling and re-skilling. Today WMREDI are publishing findings from a research project examining the role of universities in skills … Continue reading “Priorities for up-Skilling and Re-Skilling: What Role Can and Should Universities Play?”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 30th April 2021
Following the easing of lockdown key indicators are showing the start of a return to normal. Footfall statistics indicate that people are more comfortable with leaving home, but the majority of people still feel the pandemic is having a worrying effect on their lives. The latest skills data shows a significant improvement; however, this should … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 30th April 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 16th April 2021
The latest GDP figures indicate the scale of recovery required as service businesses, including shops, restaurants and hairdressers, begin to re-open their doors this week. However, unlike the recessions of the past, many jobs have been retained (due to furlough and other government schemes), and as lockdowns are in place, many individuals have saved up … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 16th April 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 26th March 2021
This week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that productivity grew at the fastest rate on record in the middle of 2020 when compared with the quarter before, but this fell away again in the last three months of the year. This was mainly because the least productive industries were those hardest hit by … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 26th March 2021”
West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 19th March 2021
This week it good to highlight the vaccine rollout continues at pace. The Midlands has successfully vaccinated 3,358,909 people with the first dose of the vaccine and 95,203 of these individuals have received the second dose. The Midlands has successfully continued to provide the most doses of the first jab and has remained the 3rd … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 19th March 2021”