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

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.

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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.

DATA HUB

Unequal Growth in UK Labour Productivity

New ONS data on labour productivity reveal that the average gross value added per worker has increased by £13,000 since 1996.

Growth has been concentrated in the top 90th percentile, highlighting the widening gap between top and bottom performers.

Wednesday 4th December 2024

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.

MAGAZINE

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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.

Nations, regions & cities

Devolution at 25: how has productivity changed in the devolved nations?

Productivity performance has long varied across the nations of the UK – and it has continued to do so since the devolved administrations were established a quarter of a century ago. Devolution allows for tailored policies to boost productivity, focused on human capital, innovation and investment.

Public spending, taxes & debt

What would be the effects of abolishing or reforming inheritance tax?

Inheritance taxes aim to raise revenue and reduce inequality of opportunity arising from differences in parental wealth. But current UK policy has little impact on social mobility. Scrapping the tax would benefit the wealthiest, while reforms could reduce unfairness and negative economic effects.

Attitudes, media & governance

Wellbeing policy: what lessons from the Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman?

The late Daniel Kahneman was awarded the economics Nobel Prize in 2002 for influential research on how people make decisions. His work on wellbeing has also had wide impact, including on what official statistics measure and evaluation of the effects of policies on people’s life satisfaction.

Schools, universities & training

UK higher education finance: what’s the problem and what can be done?

The tripling of tuition fees in 2012 put universities in a strong financial position. But since then, fees – and the maintenance loans that support students – haven’t kept up with inflation. Now, students face real hardship and some universities seem to be in deep financial difficulties.

Transport & infrastructure

Economics of airports: what lessons from the airport economist?

Aviation is a truly global industry, with airlines competing at home and abroad on price and quality, but also subject to a complicated mixture of domestic and international regulations. A country’s airports constitute a big part of the economy, contributing to trade, tourism, education and more.

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