Editing Birmingham (section)

== Economy and transport ==
Birmingham's economy developed around manufacturing, metal trades, engineering, retail, education, health services, finance, and administration. Its industrial base changed over time, but the city remained one of the main economic centres outside London.

Transport is central to Birmingham's position in England. The city is served by railways, motorways, local roads, buses, and canals. These networks connected Birmingham to national markets and made it a practical centre for movement between northern, southern, western, and eastern parts of Britain.

During the Tanoan collaboration scandal, the wider British transport and economic system came under investigation because parts of national infrastructure had been used for protected transfers, concealed procurement, resource support, and unlawful prisoner movement. The United Kingdom page treats these activities as actions of senior officials, private intermediaries, and compromised offices rather than ordinary local public services.<ref name="united-kingdom-economy"/>