Supporting Digitalisation in Birmingham’s Professional Business Financial Service Sector

A new report, in collaboration with The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, evaluates a pilot programme utilizing the ‘No Code’ approach to developing apps for businesses in the West Midlands as well as teaching young people digital skills. The Business Professional Financial Services (BPFS) sector is the largest sector by turnover, employment, and … Continue reading “Supporting Digitalisation in Birmingham’s Professional Business Financial Service Sector”

Levelling Up: An Analysis of the Distribution of Funding in Round One

Alice Pugh provides a breakdown of the first round of Levelling Up funding. Which regions were the big winners, and who lost out in the first round? View a blog summarising round two funding. View more of our work on Levelling Up In Levelling Up (LUP) round one, 105 projects were funded, at a total … Continue reading “Levelling Up: An Analysis of the Distribution of Funding in Round One”

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”

The Potential Impact of Youth Social Prescribing in the West Midlands on Employment and the Economy

Joanne Mills from the University of Wolverhampton introduces the Institute for Community Research and Development’s new project with WMREDI to identify the potential impact of youth social prescribing within the West Midlands on employment and the economy. Visit the Institute for Community Research and Development webpage. Read the report and find out more about the … Continue reading “The Potential Impact of Youth Social Prescribing in the West Midlands on Employment and the Economy”

Social Impacts and Legacies of Major Sporting Events

Dr Shushu Chen discusses whether major sporting events can bring lasting social impacts and legacies to regions that host them. 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 … Continue reading “Social Impacts and Legacies of Major Sporting Events”

Is the West Midlands Population Growing?

Reen Blake-Carr compares recent census data with 2011 to examine population change in the West Midlands. The 2021 Census was released recently and revealed a population increase of 6.1%, which amounts to 24.8 million households in England and Wales, up from 23.4 million households in 2011. Birmingham In Birmingham, there was a population increase of … Continue reading “Is the West Midlands Population Growing?”

Digging Digbeth: The Relocation of BBC Midlands and the Seeds of Recovery

Dr James Davies examines the role the Creative Industries can play in helping areas to recover economically, like Digbeth in Birmingham, which continues to grow as a creative hub. 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 … Continue reading “Digging Digbeth: The Relocation of BBC Midlands and the Seeds of Recovery”

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 – 11 November 2022

This fortnight, with a new PM in place, leading business representative organisations, including the CBI, FSB and the Chambers of Commerce have called for certainty and stability from the new Prime Minister to restore business confidence in the UK. They are calling for Rishi Sunak to restore fiscal credibility, stabilise the economy and deliver much … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 11 November 2022”

Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?

Beth Clewes discusses the impact of Covid-19, Brexit, energy prices and inflation on business confidence in the region. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?”