Economics Observatory

How is the cost of living crisis affecting public health? Soaring costs are widening health inequalities, weakening food security and diminishing health and social care. With support services already under intense pressure, the cost of living crisis raises major health concerns for the most vulnerable. By Michelle Kilfoyle

Would taxes on unhealthy foods reduce obesity? Taxing unhealthy foods like sugary drinks makes them relatively more expensive, potentially encouraging people to buy more healthy alternatives. Evidence shows that such taxes do reduce consumption and that firms reformulate their products, with beneficial effects on health. By Rachel Griffith, Martin O'Connell and Kate Smith, IFS

What is web3 and what might it mean for the UK economy? Many are claiming that the new era of the internet – web3 – will be the end of dominant Big Tech platforms like Google, Facebook and Apple. But this murky world of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens brings new risks – and policy-makers are right to be wary. By Sam Gilbert

How is generative artificial intelligence changing the legal profession? Lawyers have traditionally been slow to embrace technology, with courtroom practices remaining largely the same for centuries. The arrival of generative AI is set to change all that. By Benjamin Liu, University of Auckland

Climate change: what are the economic impacts and potential solutions? To stand a chance of meeting the net-zero ambitions of the Paris Agreement, a multi-pronged approach to curbing climate change is needed that permeates all sectors of our society and economy. Done well, this comprehensive approach will ensure a just transition. By Michelle Kilfoyle

Should the UK government get active about economic inactivity? Concerns about a rise in economic inactivity have prompted new policies aimed at discouraging early retirement and encouraging the labour force participation of women with young children. Such interventions would be more cost-effective if targeted at particular disadvantaged groups. By Steven Machin, London School of Economics, and Jonathan Wadsworth, Royal Holloway and Centre for Economic Performance

🎟 Festival of Economics 2024 - TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE! 🎟 Join us for three days of panel discussions, book talks and live podcast recordings! The Festival brings together academic experts, journalists, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss and debate today's most pressing economic questions! 📆 1 - 3 October 2024 📍 Taking place across Bristol city centre Check out the programme and sign up for tickets at: https://lnkd.in/eVP44nhQ

🎟 Festival of Economics 2024 - TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE! 🎟 Join us for three days of panel discussions, book talks and live podcast recordings! The Festival brings together academic experts, journalists, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss and debate today's most pressing economic questions! 📆 1 - 3 October 2024 📍 Taking place across Bristol city centre Check out the programme and sign up for tickets at: https://lnkd.in/eVP44nhQ

🎟️Festival of Economics 2024 🗣️Asking economists and experts from around the world the key economic questions of our time. 📅 30 September - 3 October 2024 📍Taking place across Bristol city centre at the Watershed and University of Bristol

How do bond markets react to election results? The outcome of the UK general election did not come as a surprise. Labour’s win seems to have already been ‘priced in’ to bond and stock markets, which means there has been little reaction on either. The same cannot be said for recent parliamentary elections elsewhere in Europe. By Paula Bejarano Carbo, NIESR