Economics Observatory | Questions and answers about coronavirus and the UK economy

300 years of history: In numbers

The central task for the global economy since Adam Smith’s times has been to provide for an exploding population. Life expectancy has doubled; the global headcount has risen more than ten-fold; yet economic output has increased far faster – growing by 16,700%.

Inequality & poverty

The flipside of American progress: economic failure or failed economics?

Unbridled capitalism—an idea often mistakenly attributed to Adam Smith—has flourished in the United States. But it ignores deep inequalities, not just economic but also in health and wellbeing.

Nations, regions & cities

What would it take to level up the UK’s rural areas

Many rural parts of the UK are being left behind. But in discussions of regional inequalities, such lower population areas get less attention than post-industrial towns and cities. Rural development requires investment and strategies tailored to specific circumstances, needs and priorities.

Trade & supply chains

How is Brexit affecting Scotland’s fishing industry?

‘Taking back control’ of UK waters was a recurring theme of debates about leaving the European Union. Yet for some in the fishing industry, the immediate aftermath has been severe challenges in accessing key markets. These could be the forerunner of Brexit disruptions to other sectors.

Business, big & small

Football finances: what’s going on with Manchester City?

Manchester City FC are under scrutiny for allegedly breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations. In theory, these rules are in place to prevent mismanagement driving clubs into the ground. But their effectiveness, as well as the potential role of an independent regulator, remains uncertain.

News

The ECO Data Hub: new tools for access and interpretation

The Economics Observatory’s upgraded Data Hub addresses long-standing problems with accessing and interpreting public data. We’ve built a system that is open, verifiable and automated, allowing users to draw data directly from official sources and display the numbers with a simple and flexible tool.

News

The Economics Observatory’s new Data Hub: a user’s guide

The Observatory’s upgraded Data Hub comprises: the Data Explorer, which can be used to find the latest data direct from official sources; the Chart Builder, a step-by-step guide to creating embedded charts; and the Chart Sharer, a new forum for sharing your work and connecting with others.

Inequality & poverty

Frontline stories: tackling homelessness in the cost of living crisis

In the autumn of 2022, Xenia Levantis talked with Charlie Berry, a policy officer at Shelter, leading on homelessness prevention and welfare policy.

Banks & financial markets

Why did Credit Suisse fail and what does it mean for banking regulation?

Jitters in the US banking system spilled over into Europe with the buy-out of one of Switzerland’s leading banks by its traditional rival, UBS. The causes of Credit Suisse’s failure are different from those of Silicon Valley Bank, but the impact on future regulation is likely to be greater.

Jobs, work, pay & benefits

How has the pandemic affected young people’s employment?

Studies of previous recessions show that joining the labour market in an economic downturn can have long-lasting negative effects on employment and earnings. Early evidence suggests that this may not be the case for young people in the UK who left full-time education during the pandemic.

Jobs, work, pay & benefits

Should the UK government get active about economic inactivity?

Concerns about a rise in economic inactivity have prompted new policies aimed at discouraging early retirement and encouraging the labour force participation of women with young children. Such interventions would be more cost-effective if targeted at particular disadvantaged groups.

Banks & financial markets

How has the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected global financial markets?

As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to unfold, its global economic impact remains uncertain. Evidence from the stock market indicates that firms with strong trade or ownership ties to Russia are more likely to face adverse consequences as the conflict wears on.

Pensions, savings & investment

What are the implications of removing the pensions lifetime allowance?

The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced the abolition of the lifetime allowance on what can be drawn from private pensions. A higher limit would have been a more desirable measure, both for deterring the use of pensions for tax avoidance and for reducing incentives for early retirement.

News

Banks, budgets and birthdays

Three years on from its inception, the Observatory has posted over 650 articles and collected more than 2.5 million page views. With tensions in the banking sector, a new first minister in Scotland, and the 25^th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement coming up, there’s plenty more to be covered.

All Answers