MD Founder of independent,West Midlands,not-for-profit think tank, focussed on development of new ideas to enrich the lives of the region’s citizens.Views own!
Joined April 2020
- Tweets 2,805
- Following 2,647
- Followers 1,062
- Likes 3,464
294 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
15 Jan 2021
Want to help shape new ideas for the #WestMidlands? We want you and your organisation to join our new regional networking group - 'Reimagining the Region'
thenewmidlands.org.uk/reimag… #thinktank #regions #Covid #BuildBackBetter #midlands #devolution #Coventry #Birmingham #ideas
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Chris Smith retweeted
Jan 31
Senior Birmingham City councillor Waseem Zaffar dies suddenly aged 44 itv.com/news/central/2026-01…
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5 Dec 2025
Truly vomit inducing. Get a grip @FIFAcom. Sycophancy on a truly global stage.
5 Dec 2025
🚨 USA President Donald Trump wins the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. 🏆✨
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20 Nov 2025
Wow. I'm sure having some time back in parents' days is all very welcome but my understanding of this policy was that it was all about giving children (who were going to school hungry) food to start their days in a way their parents couldn't afford to support? Strange video again
1 Oct 2025
What would you do with an extra 30 minutes in your day? 🤔
Free breakfast clubs are transforming mornings for 500,000 children - that's 95 precious hours back each year while children get a nutritious start to their day.
Part of our Plan for Change ✨
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1 Sep 2025
Beyond the Sport: Investing in People, Purpose and Place - mailchi.mp/thenewmidlands.or…
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29 Aug 2025
RT @SirSimonClarke: This Watermelon is crushing Britain.
What you’re about to see should terrify every taxpayer...
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Last week at PHTA!
🧪 @gino_prof presenting at Clinical Immunology Services' inaugural IVD Innovation & Adoption Conference
🏏 A day at Edgbaston Stadium for @TheNewMidlands #CFP25
🔬 Visit from our local MP @AlistairCarns
Learn more about our work 👉 phta.co.uk
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Chris Smith retweeted
10 Jun 2025
Today, the Government launches plans to fast-track driverless vehicle trials in the UK.
One of the companies involved says London presents a big challenge:
“It has seven times more jaywalkers than San Francisco.”
Except… it doesn't. 🧵
ALT The UK Accelerates Its Self-Driving Car Ambitions
ALT A Traffic Problem - Jay Walking poster
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Chris Smith retweeted
13 Feb 2025
Edgbaston has been granted planning permission by Birmingham City Council for a major ground redevelopment project that will include a new on-site hotel.
Planners unanimously approved the £42-million scheme today and work is expected to start in September.
#Edgbaston | Story ⬇️
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This is so nuts. The president sits at his desk in the Oval Office while Elon Musk stands answering questions with a small kid on his shoulders. I mean. Where to begin
11 Feb 2025
Elon Musk on spreading misinformation about condoms for Hamas: "Some of the things that I say will be incorrect."
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Chris Smith retweeted
5 Feb 2025
📣 NEWS: US firm Knighthead Capital Management has invested £100m into a regeneration project in East Birmingham, creating a new stadium, commercial spaces & generating thousands of new jobs for the region 👉 gov.uk/government/news/birmi…
@jreynoldsMP #UKIndustrialStrategy
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Chris Smith retweeted
24 Jan 2025
City Arcade will be closed from 27 January, with no pedestrian access from Queen Victoria Street through to Shelton Square.
As part of the closure, hoarding will be installed.
The closure is a major step for the City Centre South Scheme.
ALT A picture of City Centre South
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Chris Smith retweeted
19 Jan 2025
Many stats regarding London’s overseas social tenants conveniently ignore the fact that most have been here decades
But that doesn’t mean our social housing - already strained - is immune from the pressure of a large influx of refugees
My column 👇
thetimes.com/article/cd0c0aa…
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Chris Smith retweeted
19 Jan 2025
The Sunday Times - Hundred Tech. Britain’s fastest growing Tech Companies. Not good reading if you are interested in the future of the West Midlands.
linkedin.com/posts/dsfrost_a…
@MayorWestMids @WestMids_CA @LunarSoc @TheNewMidlands
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Chris Smith retweeted
17 Jan 2025
Not good. Worse than expected (consensus forecast was actually for a 0.4% rise). And means it's now not implausible that the UK economy contracted in Q4.
17 Jan 2025
Retail sales fell 0.3% in Dec 2024, following a small rise of 0.1% in Nov 2024.
Falls in supermarkets were partly offset by a rise in non-food stores, as clothing retailers rebounded from falls in recent months.
Read more ➡️ ons.gov.uk/businessindustrya…
ALT A line chart showing retail sales fell 0.3% in Dec 2024, following a small rise of 0.1% in Nov 2024.
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Chris Smith retweeted
16 Jan 2025
🚨UPDATE
The implosion of the UK chemicals sector continued in Nov, according to this morning's data. Cumulative fall in output since 2021 is now 38% 👇
It's further evidence of continued UK deindustrialisation, in the face of high energy prices
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Chris Smith retweeted
13 Dec 2024
Delighted to go to the @TheNewMidlands Winter Reception at the Houses of Parliament last night, hosted by Rachel Taylor MP and Saqib Bhatti MBE, in order to reflect on the achievements and successes of 2024.
#CNM #thinktank #digitalskills
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Chris Smith retweeted
13 Dec 2024
Pleasure to attend @TheNewMidlands Winter Reception at the @HouseofCommons last night, great debates and networking!
#CNM #ThinkTank
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Chris Smith retweeted
26 Nov 2024
Now included in thinkhouse.org.uk :: @TheNewMidlands REPORT :: West Midlands Social Housing Quality Fund Evaluation :: Awaiting Editorial Panel assessment. #ukhousing #housingresearch #housingpolicy
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