International instability, uncertainty and protectionism continued to impact not just the global economy but the UK economy, with current and future business activity in decline, as a result of reduced confidence in the consumer markets globally. Prices continue to rise nationally, with consumer price inflation CPI rising 3.8% in the year to September 2025. Global … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 29th October 2025”
Tag: West Midlands
Ten Years of City-REDI – Delma Dwight
This year marks a major milestone for City-REDI as we celebrate a decade of research, impact, and collaboration. Over the past 10 years, we’ve grown from a bold idea into a leading centre for regional economic development, shaping policy and practice across the UK and beyond. To mark this anniversary, we’re launching a special blog … Continue reading “Ten Years of City-REDI – Delma Dwight”
Can West Midlanders Afford to Live Solo? A Local Take on the Carrie Bradshaw Index
In September 2025, The Economist updated the Carrie Bradshaw Index, a playful yet insightful measure of housing affordability for solo renters across 100 U.S. cities. Named after the iconic character from Sex and the City, the index compares median incomes to the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment, essentially asking: where can you afford to … Continue reading “Can West Midlanders Afford to Live Solo? A Local Take on the Carrie Bradshaw Index”
What does the 2025 Spending Review mean for Place-Based Economic Development?
One year on from winning the General Election, the Labour Government have outlined its spending review for 2025. Over the course of the Government’s first year, headlines about public finances have focused on tightening budgets. On the one hand, this Spending Review follows in a similar vein. But there are also relatively significant increases in … Continue reading “What does the 2025 Spending Review mean for Place-Based Economic Development?”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 June 2025
Fragile growth, rising trade tensions and increased cost pressures are shaping the national and regional economic outlook. In this context, business leaders have warned that firms are seeking a ‘platform of stability’. Trade deals between the UK and the US and between the UK and India are viewed as positive. Curbs on immigration set out … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 June 2025”
Report Spotlight: Unlocking Procurement Insights
In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI. In this latest blog, a recent study by Annum Rafique (University of Birmingham) and Pei-Yu Yuan (University of Manchester) delves into how text mining can be harnessed to analyse procurement contracts, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. … Continue reading “Report Spotlight: Unlocking Procurement Insights”
Birmingham’s Economic Miracle – How can everyone benefit?
I recently spoke at the Lunar Society, attempting to discuss this topic, an “expert view”. In looking at addressing these questions I thought about a more provocation approach, but first breaking down the topics in the question: Has Birmingham experienced an economic Miracle? Do people benefit? How can they benefit? Watching the recent news, it … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Economic Miracle – How can everyone benefit?”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 April 2025
Concerns about geopolitical risks and further fragmentation of the global economy are leading to policy uncertainty and a weakening of business and consumer sentiment. In the Spring Statement the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer announced welfare reforms and civil service cost cuts, alongside an increase in defence spending. Businesses and households are facing increasing bills … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 April 2025”
Boosting Health and Productivity: The Role of Birmingham’s Workplaces
The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. Birmingham’s … Continue reading “Boosting Health and Productivity: The Role of Birmingham’s Workplaces”
Powering Net-Zero: How Universities and Regions Can Transform Together
Amal Umar (BSc Global Environmental Change & Sustainability) presents the outcomes of the University’s Summer Sustainability Internship at City-REDI. Amal summarises the findings of her work – decarbonisation pathways in the City of Birmingham and the West Midlands region and what the University of Birmingham can do and must do to achieve the goal. Two … Continue reading “Powering Net-Zero: How Universities and Regions Can Transform Together”