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 218 Articles

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.
What ever happened to levelling up?

March 5, 2025

Levelling up has all but disappeared from the government's agenda. That's a big mistake for growth, writes Paul Ormerod.
The West has been free riding on US defence spending

February 25, 2025

The West has been free riding on US defence spending for decades. It's no surprise Trump is now calling us to account, writes Paul Ormerod.
I’m sorry Ed Miliband, your big green energy plan is all fantasy

February 12, 2025

Ed Miliband's green vision is admirable, but the history of energy consumption shows it is but a fantasy, writes Paul Ormerod.
Yes, AI will wipe out some jobs. But this is the story of progress

February 5, 2025

AI will inevitably make some jobs redundant, but the benefits to society are far worth it, writes Paul Ormerod.
Starmer must remember humans respond to incentives, not rules

January 29, 2025

Rules are important to any civilised society, but Starmer has forgotten that humans respond far better to incentives, writes Paul Ormerod.
Reeves has placed an uncertainty premium on the British economy

January 22, 2025

Rachel Reeves promised to restore economic stability, but the outcome of her various actions has been to increase uncertainty, says Paul Ormerod Daniel Ellsberg, who died in 2023 in his 90s, was a true Renaissance Man. After a stellar career as an economics student at Harvard, he served in the Marines before working for the [...]
Forget the big infrastructure projects, SMEs are the key to unlocking growth

January 15, 2025

Dear Chancellor, forget the big infrastructure projects. Boosting the productivity of SMEs is the key to growth, writes Paul Ormerod.

Thames Water eyes return to London Stock Exchange while Pennon back in profit

Rod Bransgrove: Hampshire saviour hailed by new owners GMR as he steps down

Vino by the waves: The best British seaside hotels for wine

By: Paul Ormerod

All 218 Articles

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