Transport
May 25 2023
“All Change: The Castle Line” major Nottingham to Lincoln rail plans announced
Today, (Thursday 25th May) marks the launch of plans to boost speeds along the Nottingham to Lincoln rail corridor.
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Observatory
Latest data and research for our region
The Midlands Engine Observatory is an alliance of leading academic researchers and economic and industry experts, working together to deliver the regionally focused research and analysis our partners need to inform decision making and policy creation, for every part of the Midlands.
The only pan-regional Observatory in England, it ensures that we are evidence led and that we have a deep understanding of the issues impacting the Midlands.
The Observatory is funded by the Midlands Engine and our partners – in particular, our academic partners who co-invest in all the research we produce together. Experts are drawn from the Midlands’ own universities, partner institutions and private sector organisations, maximising the vast knowledge potential of our region.
Work is overseen and guided by a Programme Board, which in turn reports to the Operating Board of the Midlands Engine, ensuring partnership decision-making is underpinned by contemporary data and emerging evidence. The work of our Observatory continues to grow in breadth and significance; a critical driver of the pan-regional work we undertake, together.
State of the Region Report 2022
The Midlands Engine Observatory’s State of the Region 2022 Report.
The latest evidence-based reflection of how the Midlands has performed over the past calendar year – is now available.
This year’s report details a further twelve months of turbulence across the UK and beyond while spotlighting our region’s main opportunities for growth across a variety of sectors, from food and drink supply chain to hydrogen technologies.
The State of the Region is available as a downloadable 20-page executive summary or the detailed report with full in-depth analysis via our website for more in-depth interrogation.
Latest data and research
The Observatory publishes data and intelligence for the benefit of policymakers across our region, designed to ensure our partnership is kept fully iformed with a growing, robust evidence base.
Read the latest reports from the Observatory
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All cylinders – The role of the Midlands Engine in the British economy
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Covid Report – From Pandemic to Endemic
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West Burton Fusion Factsheet Midlands Engine Observatory July 2022
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Nuclear & Related Industries Factsheet
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Food and Drink Supply Chain
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Manufacturing Factsheet
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SMEs Factsheet
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Global & Investment Factsheet
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Key Facts, Strengths & Barriers to Growth
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Economic Growth and Gender Bias
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Advanced ceramics – an industry of the future
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Driving Inward Investment Insights
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Midlands Engine Intelligence Hub
Instant access to contemporary data and insights
The Midlands Engine Intelligence Hub provides a single, interactive portal for a wealth of up-to-the-minute pan-regional data, research and expert insights. This unique tool can help to inform decision-making around key investments and policy formulation for economic and social benefit in the Midlands.
Key features of the Intelligence Hub include: new live and interactive data and power BI dashboards, spatial visualisations, intelligence briefings, insight pieces from regional experts, and commissioned deep-dive research.
Observatory Action Plan
The Midlands Engine Observatory Action Plan sets out our collective actions and aims to support our region through data, research, and insight.
As we work towards delivering the Levelling Up agenda, reliable metrics and insight become more important than ever. The Plan gives us the goals and direction we need as a region to understand Midlands-specific challenges and opportunities in terms of economic growth, to quantify our impact in collaboration and to inform advocacy for further investment where it’s needed most.
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Midlands Engine Research Partnership
The Midlands Engine Research Partnership provides a forum for universities from across the Midlands to scope areas of research needed by the Midlands Engine, steer research, collaborate, secure external funding for projects and contribute to key policy reviews and strategy formulation for the Midlands Engine.
Midlands Engine Intelligence Community
The Midlands Engine Intelligence Community (MEIC) is a forum for our valued partners to discuss and contribute to the work of the Observatory, hear updates on key research activities and share data and best practice.
If you are a data owner or engage with research and intelligence linked to any aspect of the Midlands economy, we would welcome your input to help shape the work of the Observatory and accelerate our work to grow our regional economy.
Latest News
Economic Opportunities
May 25 2023
New Midlands Engine Partnership report calls on government to boost support for regional business clusters, to drive economic growth
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Latest News
May 19 2023
From kitchen table to the world! Urban Apothecary founder to share her business journey
Beauty industry stalwart Tajinder Banwait will describe the journey of her fragrance company from kitchen table to international audience during a special event celebrating local businesses.
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