The news that net migration to the UK hit a new record of 606,000 last year has understandably rung alarm bells. As Rakib Ehsan discussed here, there is a broad consensus that such high figures are unsustainable and, in some sense, undesirable. Nonetheless, talk of a immigration ‘crisis’ seems overdone. First, it is not obvious … Continue reading Does ‘Brexit Britain’ really have a migration crisis?
Tag: GDP
Two questions and some answers on the economics of the Coronation
The run up to the Coronation of King Charles III has prompted two questions. First, is it appropriate to spend public money on a royal event in the midst of a cost of living crisis? Second, what will be the overall impact of the long weekend on the UK economy? The first question at least … Continue reading Two questions and some answers on the economics of the Coronation
How valuable is ‘public sector net worth’?
Public finance geeks have been even more excited than usual about the latest statistical bulletin from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which includes new data on a balance sheet aggregate known as ‘public sector net worth’. What is this, and why does it matter? Public sector net worth, or PSNW, is a relatively comprehensive … Continue reading How valuable is ‘public sector net worth’?
Are Irish incomes really twice those of the UK?
On 14 April the New Statesman published an article which was intended to show that the Irish economy is booming at the expense of ‘Brexit Britain’. This conclusion was backed by some striking graphics, which are still being gleefully shared by the usual suspects. But it was also baloney. People have been taken in here … Continue reading Are Irish incomes really twice those of the UK?
Plain-speaking Economics 