The Midlands Engine Independent Economic Review: a final report to the Midlands Engine Partnership

SQW and Cambridge Econometrics (CE), in collaboration with City-REDI at the University of Birmingham, Nottingham Trent University and the Black Country Consortium, were commissioned by the Midlands Engine (ME) to develop the first ever Independent Economic Review (IER) for the Midlands region. This exercise formed part of the wider Midlands Engine Economic Observatory (MEEO) research programme, which was designed to provide an accessible and coherent source of evidence on the Midlands economy as a whole. The primary focus of the IER was on productivity. The research has sought to better understand the key factors driving productivity performance across the Midlands, identifying commonalities and economic linkages across the region. It investigated where a genuinely pan-Midlands approach could potentially add most value in terms of addressing strategic challenges and enabling growth opportunities. The research explored what might be required to improve the Midlands’ productivity performance over the next 10 years. As well as strengthening the evidence base and influencing policy, the IER has been designed to stimulate debate and discussion.