Economics news

The latest news, expert comment and analysis from the Department of Economics.
19/02/15

Prof Geraint Johnes interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live

Professor Geraint Johnes, Director of Lancaster University's Work Foundation, was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on 18 February, discussing the UK's latest labour market statistics.
04/02/15

Try your worst

LUMS sports economist Rob Simmons is quoted in a story in the Economist about perverse incentives not to win in football.
26/01/15

Europe a good bet despite crises

Dr Robert Read is quoted in China Daily about Europe's investment climate. Read argues that international companies should have contingency plans to deal with major events that take place in Europe.
26/01/15

No one shops on the basis of a price index

In a letter published by the Financial times, LUMS economist GR Steele responds to recent comments by Mario Draghi. "No one will be making fewer purchases because they have more euros left in their wallet after filling their fuel tank," says Steele.
19/01/15

Road to deal with EU has many hurdles

Dr Maurizio Zanardi is quoted in China Daily Europe in an article on free trade agreements between China and the EU.
14/01/15

Lithuania joins Euro

Economist Dr John Whittaker is quoted in Finance Monthly magazine on the implications for Lithuania in joining the Euro.
08/01/15

Why the confidence in sukuk offerings?

Marwan Izzeldin and Heba Abou-El-Sood discuss non-Islamic financial institutions' confidence in sukuk in International Finance Magazine.
18/12/14

LUMS top for ‘research power’ in UK research ranking

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is the most research-intensive business school in the UK, according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) published 18 December 2014.
17/12/14

How Will The Global Economy Do In 2015? Here's What You Should Know

LUMS economist John Whittaker is quoted in the Huffington Post, in an article questioning what's likely to happen to the global economy in 2015.
16/12/14

The rise of Sukuk

Wealth and Finance Magazine carries an article by Dr Marwan Izzeldin, written with Dr Heba Abou-El-Sood of Cairo University, on how Britain has become the first non-Muslim country to issue sukuk, an Islamic financial instrument equivalent to a bond or mortgage, leading to £2.3bn in orders.
15/12/14

Performance-related pay in the public sector

LUMS professors from the Department of Economics and the Centre for Performance-Led HR formed an advisory expert group for research undertaken by The Work Foundation for the Office for Manpower Economics. The final report can be downloaded from The Work Foundation's website.
04/12/14

Autumn Statement lacks a clear vision of the route ahead

Geraint Johnes says that the Chancellor's Autumn Statement tells us something about the way in which the government sees the economy moving over the next few years, and rather less about how it plans further to reduce the budget deficit.

19/11/14

The minimum wage and young workers

Geraint Johnes says there is a need for employers to nurture younger workers, with a career path that promises development and progression.
19/11/14

Is it still worth going to university?

Research by LUMS economist Ian Walker is cited extensively in a blog post on the Channel 4 news website. 
07/11/14

Will devolving powers to Manchester really stimulate economic development?

Geraint Johnes says that creation of a nexus of political authority in Manchester may well hinder economic integration of the north rather than aid it. 
04/11/14

London’s congestion charge increases speed and saves lives

Writing in the Conversation, Professor Colin Green describes research which shows that London’s congestion charge has led to a significant fall in road traffic accidents.
28/10/14

Europe’s stress tests find 25 banks wanting, but it’s not all bad news

Kim Kaivanto says that the ECB’s stress tests on European banks sets a new standard for confidence-building transparency in the Euro area.
28/10/14

Sharia student loans are flawed

LUMS researcher Vasilis Pappas is quoted in a feature in politics.co.uk about the problems with sharia-compliant student loans.
16/10/14

A look behind UK’s impressive unemployment figures shows they’re not so dazzling

Unemployment in the UK has fallen below two million for the first time in almost six years. Good news, says Geraint Johnes, but there are some important caveats to the headline figures.
14/10/14

Congestion charge has made roads safer

The Times covers Professor Colin Green's research into the effect on accidents of London's congestion charge.
13/10/14

London congestion charge drives fall in traffic accidents

The Financial Times features new research by LUMS economist Professor Colin Green that demonstrates how London's congestion charge has led to a fall in road traffic accidents.
10/10/14

Why we urgently need Islamic student loans

A major barrier to career aspirations among Muslims has been their inability to take on student (or any other) loans to fund higher study, as Shariah law prohibits predetermined interest rates, explains LUMS researcher Vasileios Pappas.
18/09/14

Why Lord Hill’s role as EC finance commissioner is a poisoned chalice for Cameron

Robert Read says that Lord Hill, the new EU finance commissioner, may find himself at the heart of implementing legislation to which his government at home is opposed.
09/09/14

The regulatory and compliance challenges of Islamic finance

Vasileios Pappas explores Islamic Banking in a piece for Thomson Reuters.