Economics news

The latest news, expert comment and analysis from the Department of Economics.
24/06/15

The fiscal consequences of the oil price drop

The decline in oil prices will present some problems for oil-exporting countries, explain Heba Abou-El-Sood and Marwan Izzeldin in Public Finance International. 
18/06/15

Chancellors are human....

Economist Geraint Johnes worries that Chancellor George Osborne's plan for a "lock" on taxes and borrowing will "wrap the country in chains".
18/06/15

Bank of England Inflation report bullish about productivity

Economist Geraint Johnes offers his view on the Bank of England's latest inflation report, which he says "comes to terms with reality" while remaining "starry eyed". 
17/06/15

National Lottery changes could make it 'too difficult'

Economist Ian Walker quoted in an article in the Express, arguing that the move to add more balls to the draw will lengthen the odds.
16/06/15

'Suspiciously timed' trade disputes

Do US Presidents pursue international trade disputes to win votes? In an article published on the VOX CEPR website, LUMS economist Maurizio Zanardi and others argue that they do.
12/06/15

Why the UK government is willing to take a loss on RBS

Mark Shackleton and Kim Kaivanto argue that the Government's decision to sell its stake in RBS will level the playing field with other banks.
27/05/15

The productivity puzzle

Professor Geriant Johnes was interviewed on Share Radio recently, discussing the UK's poor productivity, and what it really means for the economy.
21/05/15

Premier league fans want big names, not unpredictability

A LUMS economist has found that British TV audiences are less interested in watching competitive matches than they once were, instead favouring top talent.
12/05/15

Economics Taster Days offer glimpse of LUMS life

Prospective students thinking about studying economics at university will have the chance to try it for a day in two upcoming events organised by Lancaster University Management School.
11/05/15

"Familiarity, not unpredictability" key for Premier League audiences

The Guardian's Sean Ingle discusses research conducted by LUMS economist Rob Simmons and Liverpool University's Babatunde Buraimo, which suggests that fans prefer big names over competitive matches. 
01/05/15

The Greek Default

LUMS economist John Whittaker features in an article on Greece's debt problems in the Washington Post.
13/04/15

Iceland’s proposal dates back to 1933

In a letter published in the Financial Times, GR Steele says that Iceland's recent proposals on banking date back to an idea from 1933, developed by the little known Henry Simons.
24/03/15

EU mortgage rules are tame - we need finance ‘gazumping’

In an opinion piece on the FT Adviser blog, LUMS economist Kim Kaivanto says that the new mortgage lending cooling-off period needs an element of active competition.
17/03/15

What you need to know about the deficit ahead of the Budget

As Chancellor George Osborne prepares to deliver his pre-election budget, Geraint Johnes says that the key issue remains the deficit.
17/03/15

Manifesto Check: Conservatives convince on cutting the deficit but the price may be growth

With the most rapid deficit reduction programme, the Conservatives will struggle to achieve economic growth, says William Tayler, of the School’s Economics Department.
12/03/15

Charging people more to drive saves lives

A Washington Post blog features LUMS research into the effect of the London congestion charge on road traffic accidents.
10/03/15

London’s congestion charge has made roads safer for all

New research by LUMS economist Professor Colin Green reveals that the introduction of London’s congestion charge led to a substantial reduction in the number of accidents.
09/03/15

Congestion charge has led to dramatic fall in accidents in London

The Guardian features research by LUMS economist Colin Green that shows a 40 per cent drop in traffic accidents since 2003.
26/02/15

What’s gone wrong at HSBC?

Kim Kaivanto, writing in The Conversation, asks why HSBC so often finds itself mired in controversy.
25/02/15

Too big to manage? HSBC's chiefs to testify on tax scandal

LUMS economist Kim Kaivanto is quoted in a story in the Huffington Post about the problems faced by HSBC.
24/02/15

A bit more evidence on pay below the living wage

Geraint Johnes talks about the living wage and the groups of people who are not earning it.
24/02/15

Greece will stay in the euro – for now

Greece has been saved from expulsion for now but it would be unwise to speculate on how long its euro membership can continue, says John Whittaker in The Conversation.
24/02/15

Tackling youth unemployment

Geraint Johnes talks about youth unemployment and the labour market in a blog post for the Work Foundation.
24/02/15

How did the pollsters get it all so remarkably wrong?

Geraint Johnes examines the General Election campaigns and results.