WMREDI and its partners have launched the West Midlands Data Lab. The data lab provides a single interactive portal for a wealth of up to the minute regional data and research.
A unique tool to inform decision making around key investments and policy formulation for economic, social and environmental benefit in the West Midlands.
The site provides access to live data and Power BI dashboards, intelligence briefings, information on the data lab projects, and access to the latest in-depth research alongside our latest state of the region report and a range of supporting evidence.
Rebecca Riley, Administrative Director, City-REDI / WMREDI:
“The Launch of the Data Lab marks an important milestone in the collaborative approach of WMREDI, developing longer-term partnerships for data analytics and data sharing to answer the challenging questions we face now and in the future”
Professor Delma Dwight, Director of Black Country Consortium’s Economic Intelligence Unit:
“The West Midlands Lab puts the power of data and research at the fingertips of diverse private and public sector partners from across the region. A better understanding of regional needs and opportunities will enable Data Lab users to target investment for the widest possible economic and social impact.”
So what does the West Midlands Data Lab feature?
State of the Region
State of the Region 2021 is the fifth annual review of how the region has fared in the last 12 months. The report is written on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, and all its partners by WMREDI. It should be seen as a stocktake of where the region stands, it’s a snapshot of how the region is doing and where partners need to work together to improve the region. But this year, as last, it is still produced in extraordinary circumstances and it is a call to action for everyone invested in the West Midlands.
As well as being able to download all the State of the Region report on the website, you can also view reports from previous years and all the supporting evidence that fed into the State of the Region.
Data Lab Projects
This section of the data lab will showcase data dashboards and reports on a variety of topics outlined below. Some of the dashboards are already live, with others being added over the coming months.
Live Now:
West Midlands Cultural Sector Research Project
An interactive cultural infrastructure map, showing arts, film, TV and music, radio, photography, crafts, museums, galleries, library, archives, cultural education and heritage across the West Midlands.
West Midlands Travel Trends
Produced by Transport for West Midlands, the site provides data and analysis on all forms of travel in the West Midlands.
The West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor
Since the 26th March 2021, the bi-weekly monitor brings together data and intelligence from the WMREDI partnership into one single source, which can be shared and utilised in planning and responding to the challenge of the virus.
West Midlands Local Skills Report Evidence Base – April 2021
This evidence base aims to understand in detail how the supply of skills in the West Midlands Region matches up to current and future demands. It looks at the skills system at each level, from primary school to further education, apprenticeships, and graduate outcomes.
Coming in September:
Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the United Nations set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. This dashboard allows the user to compare geographies around the UK and see how they are performing in each of the 17 SDGs.
MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP) Dashboard
A report on various metrics that measure Birmingham/West Midlands region against the national profile on areas of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Civic Index
A dashboard that showcases the impact of Universities on their place in terms of measurable factors such as economic, social and environmental factors
Coming in October:
Birmingham Economic Review dashboard
A dashboard that users will be able to use to view summarised data of the BER report and compare metrics
Coming in November:
City Index
A dashboard comparing city regions across the UK and ranks each city against dimensional criteria such as innovation, economic development and cultural impacts
Economy
In this section, you can find data and analysis about the economy of the West Midlands including GVA & productivity, research & development expenditure, earnings, regional business activity and the region’s business base.
People
This section features data and analysis about the population of the West Midlands including population profile, jobs, education, unemployment, qualifications and health and wellbeing.
Place
This section features data and analysis on house prices, dwelling stock and employment land in the West Midlands.
Contact
If you have any questions about the West Midlands Data Lab, please get in touch.
Visit the West Midlands Data Lab
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the authors and not necessarily those of City-REDI / WMREDI or the University of Birmingham.