Economics Observatory | Insights on the UK and global economy

The UK’s public finances: is it time to reform the fiscal rules?

Boosting economic growth while maintaining sustainable levels of public spending is a huge policy challenge for the UK. The government’s self-imposed fiscal rules may themselves act as a constraint. Reforming the rules could help to revive the country’s stagnant economy.

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Families & households

What are the effects of paid family leave programmes in the United States?

To compensate for the lack of national provision, nine US states plus the District of Columbia have launched their own paid family leave programmes, with four more in the works. Studies highlight the effects of these policies on health, fertility and employment, but there is still much to learn.

DATA HUB

Japan behind in women’s parliamentary representation

Sanae Takaichi has just become Japan's first female prime minister.

But Japan still lags behind in women’s political representation.

In 2024, only 16% of parliamentary seats were held by women – half the 34% average of other G7 nations.

Click here to read Sarah Smith and Hans Henrik Sievertsen on women having a voice in economics.

Prices & interest rates

What’s happening to the cost of rent in the United States?

Americans faced surging rental costs in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. Since then, the cities and regions that have built the most houses have managed to bring prices under control. But in places where housing supply remains low, rents have continued to spiral.

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Tax affects economic growth by reducing consumer spending and lowering incentives to invest. But different fiscal policies have variable overall economic effects, with taxes on income better than those levied on corporate profits in terms of their wider impact on GDP.

Nations, regions & cities

What role could migration play in the reconstruction of Ukraine?

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has triggered the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, with nearly six million Ukrainians displaced worldwide. This creates a critical challenge looking ahead to post-war reconstruction. With over 200,000 Ukrainians currently here in the UK, policy-makers must consider both the current needs of refugees and how the diaspora can help to support economic recovery in Ukraine.

Productivity & growth

How might the UK’s new approach to migration affect the economy?

Net migration in the UK reached historic highs following the introduction of the post-Brexit immigration system. While this is likely to have only minor effects on the labour market and public finances, evidence on housing is more mixed. The impact of further policy reforms targeting demand for migrant workers is also uncertain.

Attitudes, media & governance

Beyond the ‘Global Irish’: what are the migration challenges facing Ireland?

Ireland has turned its experience of large-scale emigration into an asset by actively engaging its diaspora and maintaining strong connections around the world. But with immigration into Ireland at record levels, policy-makers face new challenges.

Jobs, work, pay & benefits

Job opportunities for refugees: how can host countries help?

People who are refugees typically have worse employment prospects than the rest of the population, including other migrant groups. Targeted policies can help: speeding up application decisions, supporting access to work, improving job matching and providing language and mental health support.

Productivity & growth

What policies could kick-start economic growth in the UK?

For two decades, the UK economy has seen weak growth, driven by low business investment, inadequate market dynamism and persistent policy instability. These failures shape the daily reality of households whose living standards have stagnated. New policies are needed that can stimulate growth and move the country back on a path to prosperity.

Health, physical & mental

What are the lingering effects of the pandemic on young people’s wellbeing?

The social restrictions and disrupted educational experiences resulting from Covid-19 have had a negative impact on many young people’s mental health. The damage to wellbeing has been more persistent in certain groups, particularly among girls and those who identify as non-binary.

Nations, regions & cities

From crisis to stability: what next for Bolivia’s economy?

Bolivia is at a decisive moment in its modern economic and political history, after nearly two decades of dominance by the Movement Toward Socialism party. Whoever ends up taking charge will need to draw up an economic stabilisation programme – though implementing it will be challenging.

Banks & financial markets

How does regulation affect growth in the UK financial services sector?

The UK’s financial services sector is facing falling investment, posing a risk to this vital part of the country’s economy. In response, regulators must balance consumer protection with growth, by ensuring proportionate oversight, clear rules and targeted support.

Trade & supply chains

How has Brexit affected UK financial services?

Brexit has altered the way that UK financial firms are operating, particularly in their interactions with European partners. Since the referendum, British firms are exporting less but are investing more abroad, suggesting many have re-wired their strategies.

Banks & financial markets

Measuring risk: how can researchers map the UK financial sector in real time?

Large shocks like the 2007/08 global financial crisis have reshaped the UK financial sector. Using network theory, researchers can monitor change in real time, exploring how different risks can be transmitted throughout the UK financial system.

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