By: Paul Ormerod

Paul Ormerod is an economist at Volterra Partners LLP, author and an Honorary Professor at the Alliance Business School at the University of Manchester

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Plaid Cymru would bankrupt an independent Wales on day one

Opinion

The local elections will likely see Labour lose the grip it has held on Wales since the inception of the Senedd. If Plaid Cymru does indeed form the next government, the UK might usefully acclimatise them to what life would be like under independence, says Paul Ormerod The swathe of local elections which are due [...]
It’s not the oil price, it’s the government response that matters

Opinion

Like most commodities, oil has fluctuated in price very substantially over time with regrettable effects on household incomes. But the biggest mistake would be to try to protect living standards as a whole when the country has been made worse off, says Paul Ormerod Shock, horror, the oil price is over $100 a barrel. The [...]
How universities became a marketplace for academic slop

Opinion

Pressure to publish papers mean universities have become awash with fake papers and scientific fraud, writes Paul Ormerod.

The cost of living crisis is the fault of the public sector, not billionaires

March 5, 2026

The Green's newest MP was quick to blame billionaires for the cost of living crisis. Has she looked at the public sector, asks Paul Ormerod.
Politicians and voters must wake up to reality of a zero growth economy

February 25, 2026

The past six years have been the worst period for growth in normal peace time since the start of the Industrial Revolution over 200 years ago, says Paul Ormerod The latest estimates from the Office of National Statistics show virtually no growth in the size of the economy in the period October to December 2025. [...]
A university education is no longer good value for money

February 18, 2026

Students have been turned into customers but the product they’re buying is worthless and it’s underwritten by the taxpayer, says Paul Ormerod The plight of graduates burdened with debt has been a prominent feature in the media over the past week or so. Hundreds of thousands will never earn enough to repay their student borrowings, [...]
Warnings on AI from the Industrial Revolution

February 11, 2026

The mechanisation of weaving in the 19th century didn’t just affect jobs, it led to years of political unrest culminating in the Peterloo Massacre. Leaders had better be ready for what’s coming with AI, says Paul Ormerod Last week the US AI company Anthropic released a tool which it says can automate legal work such [...]
The economics of superstars: Can Taylor Swift her AI era?

February 4, 2026

Claims that AI will make it harder for working class talent to succeed in the creative industries miss the point – the arts are inherently unequal, and not because of technology, says Paul Ormerod The cultural and creative industries have been very much in the news over the past week A report fronted by the [...]
Graduate crisis proves British universities are no longer fit for purpose

January 28, 2026

It's time to accept that a substantial proportion of British universities are simply not fit for purpose, writes Paul Ormerod.
Son-of-a-toolmaker Starmer is a poor workman

January 22, 2026

Successful organisations, from businesses to governments, work best when their leaders are able to articulate a clear, long-term vision, says Paul Ormerod Keir Starmer has been complaining that the machinery of government does not work properly. When he pulls a policy lever, very little happens. This has provoked a public argument with the health secretary, [...]

Sports hospitality giant chaired by England cricket chief launches £350m plan

London Marathon could have 100,000 runners in 2027

Teeth ‘N’ Smiles review: Self Esteem is magnetic in dated show

By: Paul Ormerod

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