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 205 Articles

Protecting against cyber attacks means tackling rational inattention

May 20, 2025

Cybersecurity, highlighted by recent attacks on the Co-op and Marks & Spencer, is not just a technical challenge but also a human and economic one, says Paul Ormerod Cyber security has featured prominently in the media, following the attacks on the Co-op and Marks and Spencer. The Co-op has recovered rather the better of the [...]
What Rachel Reeves can learn from Geoffrey Howe

May 14, 2025

In 1981, Geoffrey Howe defied Keynesian orthodoxy by tightening fiscal policy during a recession – and completely changed the narrative about the British economy. Reeves must do the same, but all she offers is doom and gloom, says Paul Ormerod The UK economy is either already in or very close to a recession. Despite Rachel [...]
UK universities should focus on excellence, not DEI

May 7, 2025

The UK university sector won’t solve it’s financial problems by prioritising diversity goals over research quality, says Paul Ormerod The university sector in the UK often seems to live in a dream world. Research England, for example, is proposing to order them to “robustly” promote diversity and inclusion in order to qualify for access to [...]
Is choosing not to work a rational response to economic conditions?

May 2, 2025

Economic theory teaches that people will make the optimal allocation of their time between work and leisure, and if they can’t earn why bother to work? That’s a choice neither individuals, nor the country can afford, says Paul Ormerod The rise in worklessness is acknowledged across the political spectrum to be a serious problem. It [...]
If the ONS can’t measure productivity, how are we meant to improve it?

April 23, 2025

The ONS's shortcomings are far from trivial, its bad maths is holding back the UK economy, writes Paul Ormerod.
Method in Trump’s madness? What economic theory teaches us about tariffs

April 9, 2025

Trump's tariffs have sent the world into a frenzy but there could be method yet. Economic theory shows that tariffs reduce prices, writes Paul Ormerod.
Reeves’ black hole alarmism is creating something scarier: A real one

April 2, 2025

Reeves' fearmongering has scared Brits into saving. The consequences will be more frightening than Reeves' 'black hole', writes Paul Ormerod.
Spring Statement: Reeves should abolish the OBR

March 26, 2025

By strengthening the OBR, Reeves has created severe difficulties for herself. Vital decisions about our economic future should be made by politicians, not unelected quangocrats, says Paul Ormerod Later today we will know for certain what is in Rachel Reeves’ Spring statement, a budget to all intents and purposes. But as is usually the case [...]
The bond markets must not be allowed block defence spending

March 19, 2025

The Germans are funding increased defence spending through debt so why can’t we? The Chancellor needs to start telling a better story about the future direction of our economy, says Paul Ormerod President Trump wants European countries to spend five per cent of GDP on defence. Kier Starmer plans to increase UK spending from 2.3 [...]
If crises are the test of a nation, Western Europe is failing

March 12, 2025

The financial crisis and the pandemic have shown how modern Europe deals with crises. And it's not pretty, writes Paul Ormerod.

Odey ‘violated ethical norms’ in his attempts to prevent disciplinary hearing

Abramovich to fight UK Government over funds from £2.5bn Chelsea sale

Aboard the Celebrity Cruises ship with Gwyneth Paltrow partnership

By: Paul Ormerod

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