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

Is the UK a meritocracy?

Many Britons believe that success is based on merit. But evidence shows that family background and economic circumstances play a key role in individuals’ opportunities to move up the social ladder. Underestimating the importance of these factors can reinforce existing inequalities.

Talking Economics

Our annual conference is taking place in Bristol from 17-19 November 2021. Click here to find out more.

News

#TalkingEconomics: How should we tackle the big post-pandemic challenges?

Soumaya Keynes reports on the final day of discussions at Talking Economics and the Bristol Festival of Economics. Topics included what to do about the gender pay gap, rising inflation, learning losses among the young, and climate change.

Nations, regions & cities

Where are the UK’s levelling up funds most needed?

Longstanding patterns of economic inequality in the UK are being overlaid with the locally uneven economic impacts of Covid-19. The challenge for policy is targeting the places that most need support – which are not whole regions but geographically diverse local areas.

Energy & climate change

How may climate change affect people’s economic decisions?

Anthropogenic climate change is increasing average temperatures and the number of days each year with extreme heat. This is likely to affect the way people behave and the economic choices they make: how and when will depend on where in the world they live.

News

#TalkingEconomics: what are the legacies of the Covid-19 crisis?

Bethan Staton reflects on some of the conversations at the first edition of Talking Economics, an event developed in partnership between the Economics Observatory and the long-running festival of economics at Bristol Ideas.

Aid & international development

What will be the likely effects of reducing the UK’s aid budget?

Reductions in official development assistance inevitably involve choices – for example, between protecting future biodiversity and feeding children in today’s humanitarian crises. But the real loss from aid cuts is UK leadership on global responses to poverty, Covid-19 and climate change.

Data Hub

Live and interactive charts and visualisations, making sense of the latest numbers

Families & households

Did food hardship increase during the pandemic?

The number of households experiencing uncertainty about secure access to food rose dramatically during the pandemic in both the United States and the UK. The crisis has exposed severe inequalities in ‘food hardship’ across race and class in both countries.

Health, physical & mental

How is the healthcare sector dealing with climate change?

Healthcare systems face a growing burden from environmental hazards like air pollution and extreme weather events. As major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, they are also seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Health, physical & mental

How has Covid-19 affected younger adults with social care needs?

Much discussion of social care during the pandemic has focused on the elderly. But young people with learning difficulties have been particularly badly affected, both in terms of their health and loss of services.

Energy & climate change

How can we make green growth fair?

Environmental policies like carbon taxes can hurt poor households and small businesses. Careful policy design can transform a trade-off into a double dividend.

News

A just transition

A letter from Glasgow.

Prices & interest rates

How has inflation behaved during the pandemic?

Lockdown measures introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19 changed patterns of consumer spending around the world. The enforced shifts in demand affected prices in ways that become apparent by looking at different measures of inflation.

Energy & climate change

How are plastics harming marine ecosystems?

The oceans have become a waste-sink for plastics—just like the atmosphere is for greenhouse gas emissions. A higher carbon price may help tackle both problems.

All Answers