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

All 233 Articles

Andy Burnham will find there is a limit to tax rises

July 28, 2026

Since tax increases are constrained by adverse behavioral responses and public resistance, the government must prioritise improving long-stagnant public sector efficiency, says Paul Ormerod A brand new Cabinet is in place, with ministers eager to introduce new spending plans to demonstrate that they are making an impact. To pay for these, a range of potential [...]
Stop peer pressuring young people into the student debt swindle

July 22, 2026

One in four graduates will end up worse off than they would have been had they not gone to university, but that’s not just down to imperfect information, it’s down to expectations that need to change, says Paul Ormerod The holiday season is now in full swing. Relaxation for most, but in many households tensions [...]
Burnham’s cheerfulness could turn the economy around

July 9, 2026

Confidence is an elusive but essential determinant of the course of the economy ignored by Reeves' doomsterism. Burnham could change that.
Devolution is the shakeup Britain needs

July 2, 2026

In France, Germany and Italy, productivity levels in second cities are 20 to 30 per cent higher than in the UK. Devolution could help.
The fallacy of blaming rich footballers for inequality

June 24, 2026

There is a persistent belief that the high pay of the few has suppressed that of the many. The data says differently, writes Paul Ormerod.
Is it even possible to regulate ‘misinformation’?

June 10, 2026

It's easy to call for crackdowns on 'misinformation', but how do you regulate such an amorphous term, asks Paul Ormerod.
Is it time to change how we measure inflation?

June 3, 2026

Measures of inflation are hugely influential on policy but struggle to account for the pace of technological innovation, says Paul Ormerod During this decade, the rate of inflation has become a key factor in determining living standards. Many benefits are linked to it. It sets a marker for wage demands. And when it goes up, [...]
Pokemon cards’ most enthusiastic collectors? Money launderers

May 28, 2026

The market for Pokemon cards it absolutely booming, but there's a more sinister force than nerdy millennials at play, writes Paul Ormerod.
A state of the nation tale: The National Rail Museum won’t accept a model railway set

May 19, 2026

From museums that won't accept model railway sets to the NHS's refusal to share data, British inefficiency is costing us billions.
Labour is doomed to irrelevance

May 13, 2026

Social democratic parties across Western Europe have failed after abandoning support for capitalism and pursuing woke agendas. The same will happen to Labour, says Paul Ormerod So Keir Starmer wants a reset with the European Union. In typical Starmer fashion, it is as clear as mud as to what this will actually involve. But there [...]

Google, OpenAI and Anthropic back £100m UK AI biosecurity lab

Fashion in Formula 1: How the paddock became global catwalk

Ian McKellen flirts with Ncuti Gatwa in delightful Frank and Percy film – review

By: Paul Ormerod

All 233 Articles

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