An independent think tank for the new Midlands

Focused on the development and dissemination of new ideas

The Centre for the New Midlands CIC is an independent, not-for-profit think tank focussed on the development and dissemination of new ideas to enrich the lives of the region’s citizens and to enhance political discourse across the Midlands.

Through our collaboration with industry and academia, we will discover new solutions to the region’s biggest social and economic challenges to shape a New Midlands.

We are apolitical; dedicated to the generation of new ideas thanks to evidence based research and we are fully committed to making the Midlands a ‘better’ place to live, work, study, invest and play in.

We do hope that you enjoy learning more about what we hope to achieve through our work and would love to have you on board. Thank you for visiting the Centre for the New Midlands.

Our Mission

GOOD NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS REGION

17,000 new homes

Housebuilding is on the rise

Nearly 17,000 homes were built during 2018/19 - a 15 per cent rise on the previous year and twice the national average increase. The total compares to just 7,500 homes built in 2011 (Express and Star)

Top for 5G coverage

Top region for coverage

A study from the 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme, the government’s nationally coordinated programme of investment in 5G, has placed the West Midlands first for 5G coverage, whilst Birmingham also ranked highest for 5G coverage among the top six cities (businessInnovationmag.co.uk)

4,443 new jobs in the region

Created thanks to Foreign direct investment (FDI)

In 2020/21, 145 Foreign direct investment projects led to the creation of 4,443 new jobs in the West Midlands – the highest number of new jobs created outside of London (Department for International Trade)

BAD NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS REGION

-21% drop in output

In the UK, West Midlands hit hardest economically during the pandemic's first lockdown of 2020

In a breakdown of the 18.8% fall in gross domestic product during the second quarter of 2020, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the West Midlands had a 21% drop in output. ONS revealed that it was the second quarter in a row the West Midlands had seen the biggest fall in GDP, after a 4.7% decline in the first three months of the year. (The Guardian)

17.9% of' 'WMCA' households in fuel poverty

Compared to 13.4% nationally in 2019

WMCA as defined by 3 Local Enterprise partnership zones (West Midlands Data Hub)

8.2% of working age adults in the West Midlands have no qualifications

This compares with a figure of 6.2% in England and 4.9% in South East

In 2015, the figure for the West Midlands stood at 13% so there has been an improvement, but this is in line with national trend (LGInform)

We Want You to help us shape a New Midlands

LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS

Committed to being inclusive? You’ll need to look in the most unexpected places

Oct 1st, 2021 / 0 / 6

Reflections on the reshuffle – and what next for devolution

Oct 1st, 2021 / 0 / 6

OUR EVENTS

7 SepLaunch of Reimagining the Region

7Sep

Launch of Reimagining the Region

ENHANCE THE DEBATE

We want to invigorate debate across the region about how we can build a stronger, more prosperous region. We ask that you comment on and share the articles that you find interesting

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Our work is funded thanks to the generosity of our donors and the individuals and organisations who support our research. We believe in collaboration and want to work with people and teams who share our mission to build a 'New' Midlands

WORK WITH US

We are actively looking for new research on the biggest issues facing the West Midlands and want to support and publish the work of early career researchers (in particular). Get in touch today!