In the West Midlands we are not just waiting patiently for the storm to pass – we are determined that by being proactive and by working together as a region, we will meet and rise to the challenges ahead of us.
The West Midlands Taskforce is a unique West Midlands gathering of leaders from government, business, regional agencies, local authorities and trade unions – the perfect forum in which to monitor and influence how our region responds to the changing global economic picture.
The West Midlands Taskforce is championing the importance of paying suppliers promptly and within agreed timescales - click here (Opens in new window) to show suppliers your commitment to them by signing up to the Prompt Payment Code. These 73 West Midlands organisations - PDF - 145kb have gone one step further and have pledged to pay invoices in 10 days.
Click here to make your commitment to the 10 day pledge
Working with stakeholders across the region, the Taskforce produces a monthly Economic Update report summarising key trends and issues in the national and regional economy. This information is used by the Taskforce to inform partners’ response to the downturn and to provide Government Ministers with updates on the key issues faced by the region’s businesses and communities.
February 2010 Economic Update - PDF - 537kb
January 2010 Economic Update - PDF - 414kb
December 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 429kb
November 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 449kb
October 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 464kb
September 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 762kb
August 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 507kb
July 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 450kb
June 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 559kb
May 2009 Economic Update (Opens in new window) - PDF - 748kb
April 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 539kb
March 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 480kb
February 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 663kb
January 2009 Economic Update - PDF - 642kb
December 2008 Economic Update - PDF - 603kb
November 2008 Economic Update - PDF - 312kb
The West Midlands Taskforce is one of a range of new initiatives aimed at helping our businesses and our communities get through the current economic downturn.
The West Midlands Taskforce has two clear aims;
to address the specific regional business and employment issues associated with the global economic downturn minimising their impact on our businesses and our communities.
to ensure business resilience in the West Midlands over the long term.
Specifically the West Midlands Taskforce will work to prevent job cuts where possible, and where not, minimise the impact of redundancies on our local communities and of reductions in production on the regional supply chain.
The West Midlands Taskforce is addressing a number of themes that are key to ensuring the stability of the economy during economic downturns. These themes include:
The West Midlands Taskforce first met back in December 2008 and will continue to meet on a monthly basis as long as our regional businesses and communities are at risk.