The Autumn Statement, time to prioritise resources
Today, we have published our Autumn Statement submission ahead of the Chancellor's speech next week. The statement is one of the most important for some time and must set out the government's ambition...
View ArticleThe Richard Review and the ambition for Apprenticeships
When the government announced it had commissioned an independent Review on Apprenticeships, led by entrepreneur Doug Richard, the general feeling was 'not another Review' - the Holt Review was still...
View ArticleFunding for Lending, is it working?
The Bank of England released the first round of data today on the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS). The scheme was launched by the Governor and the Chancellor earlier this year with the aim of...
View ArticleAutumn statement begins pulling on growth levers
Last week's Autumn Statement was a big event and much more than the originally intended interim update on the state of the nation. Fragile business confidence and muted activity indicators spurred the...
View ArticleSickness absence, a new approach
The government has finally responded to the Frost/Black review of sickness absence recommendations which was published back in November 2011. The initial review was aimed at making a step change in the...
View ArticleThe C word in Banking, it's Competition we need
We now have the long awaited plans for reforming the UK banking sector in particular safeguards to try to make it harder for the government to end up on the hook for a big bank and all its risky...
View ArticleLow carbon vision, the £880 billion proze
Much has been made of our position as the world's sixth largest producer and provider of low-carbon goods and services. But there are signs we are faltering. Manufacturing, the largest slice of...
View ArticleGDP - Growth to accelerate..?
As we approach the so-called dog days of summer and the holiday period, it's a good time to take stock of where the economy is right now and how manufacturers in the West Midlands are feeling.
View ArticleSkills from the widest possible pool crucial for Industry
Last week, Skills Minister Matt Hancock said firms have a duty to train, and employ, British workers and to resist the 'easy option' of filling jobs with foreign workers. This he argues would give the...
View ArticleManufacturing goes through the gears
Today we released our half-year Economic Prospects report with upgraded forecasts for the UK economy and manufacturing. We are expecting greater momentum in the economy on the back of increased...
View ArticleExports leading the way as trade grows
Trade data is out today from ONS, as always the monthly numbers can be volatile so always best to view with a cautious eye, but some continuing positive news to go with the other indicators we have...
View ArticleA levels, more maths and sciences good news
As manufacturing growth builds momentum, industry's employers are crying out for more talented young people with the right skills. There are a number of commonly cited facts and figures on the...
View ArticleCredit, light at the end of the tunnel?
We released our latest Credit Conditions Survey today and once again the news is good and hopefully a positive sign leading up to the next Funding for Lending data release next week.
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