New research on economic inclusion in the West Midlands

The Observatory’s Economic Inclusion team has published a Baseline Report on Economic Inclusion (PDF, 2.16MB) pulling together regional analysis of key issues relating to worklessness, unemployment and economic inclusion in the West  Midlands.

This is the first comprehensive review of these key issues at regional level and the analysis enables consideration of the scale and distribution of worklessness problem within the region.

Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands seek local improvement advisors

Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands are recruiting local improvement advisors to help advise and support Local Strategic Partnerships around the following specialisms:

• Adult health and wellbeing
• Financial management
• Data sharing
• Climate change and environmental leadership

Person specification and application forms are available from the Improvement and Development Agency.

Closing date: 5pm on 15 April 2009

Impact of the recession on environmental technologies sector

The Observatory’s skills team is working on a skills review of the environmental technologies sector (such as renewable energy, pollution monitoring and waste management) on behalf of the Learning & Skills Council, Advantage West Midlands and local authorities in the West Midlands.

While we expect to publish in summer 2009, we can report now on emerging findings from our online survey (PDF, 295KB) relating to the impact of the recession for environmental technology firms.

West Midlands rural areas hit particularly hard by recession

The Observatory’s Skills Team are working on an assessment of skills and labour market issues in the rural areas of the West Midlands on behalf of the Regional Skills Partnership and the Rural Affairs Forum.

While we expect to publish in April 2009, we can report now on emerging findings relating to the impact of the recession.

Rural areas of the West Midlands have out-performed the rest of the region in recent years in terms of business growth, new business formation and employment growth.

However, there remains a significant dependence on lower value added sectors and industries such as agriculture, manufacturing industries such as food and drink, construction, hotels and catering, and transport.

Urban bird spotting

The OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) project in the West Midlands is currently out and about putting small coloured and metal rings around the left leg of 12 species of birds in Shire Country Park and Sutton Park. This is part of a wider study into the biodiversity of the region.

By finding out where these marked birds are being seen they can answer questions such as:

1. How far are birds moving?
2. Where are birds moving to in Birmingham?
3. Which bird species are moving to and from other patches of Birmingham?
4. Do birds in parks utilise garden food resources or remain in parks?

 If you see a ringed bird, let OPAL know by submitting a record.

Impact of economic downturn on Herefordshire

Just over a week ago, the Herefordshire Information and Research Network held a seminar on the effect of the current economic downturn on Herefordshire.

Presenters at the seminar included Gill Swaithes of Herefordshire Council’s Research Team and Phil Vallely from JobCentre Plus.

For those not at the seminar, the presentations are available from Herefordshire’s website. The presentations provide a useful insight into how the developing downturn is impacting employment, housing, tourism and crime.

Last chance to register for innovation workshop

There are just two days left to register for the Observatory’s workshop From recession to growth – the importance of innovation in a changing economy.

The full day workshop will be held in the Technology Innovation Centre at Birmingham City University, on 19th March 2009.

New measures to help sufferers of depression and anxiety back to work

New measures to help unemployed people experiencing depression or anxiety back to work were announced last week by the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell.

The government is investing £13m in the support package, which will fund provisions such as:

• A faster roll out of talking therapy services across the UK in 2009
• Employment support workers linked to every talking therapy service
• Health advisers on a dedicated NHS Direct phone

It’s hoped that many of those on long-term sick leave or unable to find work because of depression will be helped to recover and return to work.

Your health and the economic recession

It is not a surprise that the current crisis has hit our wallets, but have you thought about the implications that this may have on your health?

Every day the media delivers rather pessimistic news around unemployment going up, more companies going bust, redundancies and future job losses.

The contraction of our disposable income combined with the gloomy picture we perceive generates fear, stress and concerns that can result in a diverse range of health issues ranging from obesity to mental and cardiovascular diseases.

In order to avoid considerable harm to the health across the region, the West Midlands Public Health Observatory (WMPHO) brought together local and health authorities from all over the region to discuss how to face this major issue.

How is the West Midlands cultural sector performing during the recession?

Economic research launched in March 2009 by the West Midlands Cultural Observatory has helped to shed light on how the region’s cultural and creative sector is performing during the current economic downturn — an area which has not been the subject of sustained research in the past.

The economic snapshot paper (Word, 306KB) includes the results of a small scale survey which explores how levels of visitors and revenue have been affected in cultural venues such as museums, arts centres and visitor attractions.

New research on the impact of culture in the West Midlands

New research produced by the West Midlands Cultural Observatory has boosted understanding of the social and economic role that culture has played in the West Midlands over recent years.

Long term economic trends suggest that the sector is expanding, employing more people and increasing its GVA and turnover output year-on-year.

For example, the Culture & Prosperity (PDF, 1.2MB) paper describes how the region’s creative industries had a 36% increase in turnover between 2004 and 2007: a level which exceeded the national average increase in turnover for creative industries (+13%) and the average growth in turnover within the whole West Midlands economy (+19%) over the same period.

West Midlands economy contracting at faster rate than any other region

The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report for the West Midlands reaffirms the declining economic outlook. Business activity and new orders fell at faster rates in February, with manufacturing particularly weak as the impact on the automotive sector is more acutely felt.

The PMI is one of the leading indicators monitored as part of the regional monthly economic outlook report prepared for the West Midlands Taskforce.

Better environment, better lives

The quality of the environment affects the quality of our lives. It is a reality that the poorest people are the ones living in the worst environmental conditions.

‘Environmental inequality’ was at the centre of the ‘Better Environments, Better Lives’ conference organised by the Environment Agency and Be Birmingham. The event, held on 27th February in Birmingham, raised the awareness of social and environmental inequalities and explored ideas of improving quality of life through environmental actions.

Innovation and the recession: innovation workshop day 19th March 2009

The Observatory is pleased to confirm Patrick Harris as the keynote speaker at our forthcoming Innovation Day, ‘From recession to growth – the importance of innovation in a changing economy‘.

The full day workshop will be held in the Technology Innovation Centre at Birmingham City University, on 19th March 2009.

View the full agenda (pdf, 91kb).

Google and Ordnance Survey come to Birmingham

A number of Regional Data & Intelligence Network members have raised concerns about changes to Ordnance Survey’s (OS) terms and conditions, which will limit the sharing of data derived from OS mapping products.

We’ve just been informed of an event being run by The Map Info User group for the UK and Ireland (MUGUKI) next week, to discuss this very issue with representatives from Ordnance Survey and Google.

When? Thursday 12th March 1:30pm to 4pm

Where? The Holiday Inn, Birmingham City Centre, Smallbrook, Queensway, Birmingham, B5 4EW

How much? Non Members (of MUGUKI) – £25 each. Members (of MUGUKI) – Free, with up to 1 guest.

Agenda and booking: Read the agenda and book a place at the event