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

What are the links between job vacancies, unemployment and inflation?

Unemployment in the UK has been historically low since the start of 2022, despite rising interest rates and falling numbers of job vacancies. A key question for monetary and fiscal policy-makers is whether this trend will continue into the future.

Audio recordings

Transport & infrastructure

Rebuilding social infrastructure: how should we invest in communities?

Investing in our public spaces is vital to address the big challenges of loneliness, mental ill health and social and political disengagement. Such investment also brings economic benefits – and can help to close the gaps between economically disadvantaged and more affluent parts of the country.

DATA HUB

UK GDP falls in October 2024

The Office for National Statistics estimates that real gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.1% in October.

A decline in production (-0.6%) and construction output (-0.4%) drove the contraction, while services remained steady.

Click on the chart to read Vince Cable in discussion with John Turner on how the UK government can support economic growth.

Friday 13th December 2024

Families & households

What are the effects of youth club closures in the UK?

The widespread closing of youth clubs during the 2010s, driven by government austerity measures, led to falling educational performance and increasing rates of youth offending. The long-term financial implications – through reduced lifetime earnings and higher crime-related costs – are also stark.

MAGAZINE

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The price of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin is determined by some combination of a small number of very large trades, the issuance of Tether, a so-called stablecoin, and organic supply and demand. Finding out what caused a particular price movement requires examination of all three factors.

Pensions, savings & investment

How is pension consolidation likely to affect performance and growth?

UK government proposals to merge some smaller public pensions may improve their performance for beneficiaries. But the scale of this effect is likely to be limited, as is the impact on aggregate investment and the country’s rate of economic growth.

Business, big & small

What is crowdfunding and how is it helping small businesses in the UK?

Crowdfunding unlocks alternative financing for start-ups and small businesses by mobilising pools of small-scale investors via online platforms. The funding model spreads risk, enables innovative projects and democratises investment, allowing individuals to support causes that they care about.

Business, big & small

The video games industry: is more support needed for this UK success story?

The UK’s gaming industry has boomed over the past two decades, driving job creation, export growth and technology benefits spilling over to a range of other key sectors. Continued government support could pay off handsomely in terms of tax receipts and industrial competitiveness.

Lessons from history

Ireland’s economy since independence: what lessons from the past 100 years?

A century ago, advocates and opponents of Irish independence presented arguments about the future of Ireland’s economy outside the UK. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that predictions made by both sides have come to pass at different points over the past 100 years.

Jobs, work, pay & benefits

How do safety concerns shape women’s opportunities in developing countries?

Women constantly face the possibility of becoming victims of sexual assault in public spaces and at work. This may deter them from pursuing better education and career opportunities. Ensuring that women are secure helps to guarantee that they will have better futures.

Banks & financial markets

How did Ireland recover so strongly from the global financial crisis?

The global financial crisis of 2007-09 had a huge impact on Ireland, with soaring unemployment and a big rise in public debt as the government bailed out the country’s banks. But the Irish economy has bounced back strongly since 2012, primarily due to globalisation and foreign direct investment.

Aid & international development

How much climate finance should rich nations provide?

Developed countries have committed to providing billions in climate finance to offset their contribution to the environmental crisis. But much of this funding is being redirected from existing development assistance and may be insufficient to tackle global warming.

Inequality & poverty

What do we know about child poverty in developing economies?

Child poverty is depriving millions of youngsters of their basic needs – and hindering their potential for a brighter future. Addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach that tackles economic, educational and social disparities to create a more equitable world.

Nations, regions & cities

Kenya’s economy: how is the government tackling the big challenges?

Kenya’s government faces the challenge of meeting its debt obligations, while avoiding further unrest. President William Ruto must find ways to raise money, manage the economic recovery from Covid-19 and respond to the threat of climate change.

Attitudes, media & governance

What can sport learn from economics and economics from sport?

At first glance, it may seem that economics and sport are of little relevance to one another. But economic analysis can inform big sporting decisions from signing players to specific plays to performance assessment; while sport can shed light on fundamental economic questions.

All Answers