Glasgow Economic Recovery Group

The Glasgow Economic Recovery Group (GERG) was established in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 which halted non-essential economic activity with the aim of developing a response to the immediate challenges of supporting the local economy and planning for Glasgow’s medium and long-term economic recovery. The membership of GERG came from Glasgow City Council and representatives of the business, academic, trade union and third sectors in the city. In May 2020, the group submitted the city’s response to the Scottish Government’s Independent Advisory Group, following this up in June with a detailed implementation plan of Glasgow-specific actions and asks.

Arising from GERG and launched in November 2020, the City Centre Task Force, has a membership representing local, national and UK government, the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and representatives from all core city centre sectors. The Task Force was created through the recognition of the particular challenges facing the city centre and these sectors in particular. Its members have already developed a range of actions to support the city centre’s recovery before and during the lifting of restrictions and aims to ensure longer-term inclusion of recovery activity into the new 2020-25 City Centre Strategy.

Cross Uni Declaration

The University of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University have signed up to a new declaration setting out proposals for the UK’s post COVID-19 economic recovery. The Core Cities declaration, by 11 UK cities and 21 of the universities they host, outlines how its signatories can boost and broaden research and development spending, create high- skilled jobs and help to level up the UK’s nations and regions. Glasgow and the other 10 Core Cities deliver 26% of the UK’s economy and play host to 40% of all UK university students. City leaders and University Vice Chancellors have come together to set out a declaration to government ministers, with proposals for establishing new City Innovation Partnerships (CIPs) to develop targeted local research and development investment programmes. They also call for greater local flexibility in the delivery of skills, employment and job creation programmes, the introduction of a Cities Trade Package, and a new UK Urban Trade and Investment Strategy to reposition the UK internationally.

Cross-institutional Initiative

Academics from the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow are also part of a new cross-institutional initiative that seeks to inform policy-makers and the public about the economics of the COVID-19 crisis. The new Economics Observatory (ECO) seeks to provide sound and non-partisan advice to inform decision-makers across all parts of society, from government to individuals, about the choices they face in dealing with the crisis and the recovery.

Super college launches online mental health and well-being service

City of Glasgow College has offered all college staff and students access to the Big White Wall, an online mental health and well-being service.

The award-winning digital resource offers confidential access to a library of self-care resources, tips and guided group courses as well as up to date COVID-19 information.

Click here to read more.

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