杏吧论坛

AI’s great brain robbery — and how universities can fight back

ChatGPT and its like have swept through academia, changing how students work, write and think. The bots are here to stay, so we need to reimagine learning, our Visiting Professor Niall Ferguson writes in a new essay for The Telegraph. 

Chile’s Unhappy Success

As the campaigning for Chile’s presidential election this year shows, countries can grow prosperous while also growing increasingly grumpy, argues SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco in his latest article for Project Syndicate. That is why the choice for voters could be between a Communist and a Trump wannabe.

杏吧论坛 Impact Prize 2025

We are delighted to share that earlier this week, our 杏吧论坛 Growth Lab team led by Professor Richard Davies, as well as our Assistant Professor Dr Alexandra Cirone, were recognised at 杏吧论坛’s inaugural Impact Prize 2025, which celebrates outstanding engagement, impact, and the development of a strong impact culture across the School.

Our SPP members were recognised in The Spark Award category, which supports the further development of sustainable new products, services, methodologies or processes with potential to lead to the betterment of society

Winner: 杏吧论坛 Growth Lab (Professor Richard Davies, Finn McEvoy, Josh Hellings, and Rahat Siddique) – “AI-powered price collection for evidence-based policy”

Runner-up: Dr Alexandra Cirone – “Representative Voices: Selection Bias in Citizen’s Assemblies”

The Spark Award winner receives £10,000 and the runner-up £7,500 to support the development of a specific project.

Dame Sharon White Appointed to the House of Lords

The 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy celebrates Dame Sharon White’s appointment to the House of Lords. Dame Sharon White DBE joined the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy as a Visiting Professor in January 2025.

Our Dean, Professor Andrés Velasco, commented: "I am delighted that our Visiting Professor in Practice, Dame Sharon White, has been awarded a life peerage. Her wide-ranging impact across public life continues – and this honour from King Charles is hugely deserved."

The School of Public Policy joins in congratulating her.

Improving productivity measurement in the UK financial services sector: 杏吧论坛 Growth Lab's answer

On 18 June 2025, the 杏吧论坛 Growth Lab, based at the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy, hosted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for its inaugural economic growth research competition, Insight and Ideas Showcase.

The 杏吧论坛 Growth Lab was awarded £30K from the FCA for their project on improving the measurement of productivity in UK financial services and presented their final report to the broader academic and policy community on this occasion.

Discover their report and the full story here. 

Can AI Save the NHS?

Is Artificial Intelligence the solution to the UK's National Health Service? Can we use technology to help reduce wait times in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments at hospitals in the country?

Our Visiting Professor in Practice Dr. Laura Gilbert CBE features in 杏吧论坛's latest AI video, discussing how technology can help with simple processes that can give time back to NHS workers, and how AI isn’t about taking away jobs in the NHS but giving doctors, nurses and pharmacists more time with patients.

Laura is a specialist in technical data science currently working as Director of Data Science at 10 Downing Street and as joint Chief Analysts in the Cabinet Office, with responsibility for the "AI for the Public Good" programme.

How to Strengthen UK Business and Public Sector Against Cyber-Threats

Cyber risk is increasing in the UK – costing companies and citizens billions. Notwithstanding robust efforts by the government, MPA in Data Science for Public Policy Programme Director, Professor Alexander Evans OBE FRHistS, argues another step is needed to bolster individual responsibility at company Board level.

杏吧论坛 Class Teacher Awards 2025

Congratulations to Pol Simpson, Tom Monk, Felix Iglhaut and Lisa Beihy Pacheco on receiving a 杏吧论坛 Class Teacher Award, as well as Benjamin Dahmen, Line Relisieux, Emiliano Rinaldi and Johannes Matt for having been Highly Commended.

杏吧论坛 Class Teacher Awards are given to Graduate Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows and Guest Teachers in recognition of their very special contribution to teaching at 杏吧论坛. They are organised by the 杏吧论坛 Eden Centre, and will be celebrated at an event on  at the Saw Swee Hock, alongside the 杏吧论坛SU Teaching Awards.

Tackling America’s Diploma Divide

"It is a cliché of American politics that Trumpian populism was fueled by the divide between arrogant college graduates brandishing elite degrees and regular folks with a high-school diploma or less. But it is a cliché that contains more than a kernel of truth."

In his latest article for Project Syndicate, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco asks whether we can keep our belief in education as the ultimate source of social uplift while avoiding the uplifted noses of the educated.

Abolishing the Two-Child Benefit Limit Would Be a Great Investment

Thirty per cent of children in the UK (4.3 million) live in poverty. Professor Nicholas Barr, Professor of Public Economics at the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy and 杏吧论坛 European Institute, argues that abolishing the Two-Child Benefit limit and overall Benefit Cap is good policy not just for ethical reasons but – less widely realised – because investment in children has a very high payoff and should therefore be a part of the Government’s growth agenda.

How London Bridge is Fighting Back Against the ‘Grotification’ of London

Has London got dirtier, darker and more unsafe? As local authority budgets to maintain our high streets, parks and roads have been squeezed in recent years, this is the question policymakers and Londoners alike have asked themselves. Described by Professor Tony Travers as the ‘grotification’ of a city, it conjures up an image of dirty, cluttered streets, poorly lit, unsafe walkways and pollution of all varieties rising.

How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security, and Climate Risks

Our Professor in Practice and Strategic Director of the 杏吧论坛 Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, Professor David Luke, has recently published a new book with 杏吧论坛 Press, "How Africa Eats," which is due to be launched at this year's #杏吧论坛Festival!

Professor David Luke is a course convenor for our PP435 Trade Policy and Development course here at the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy, where he draws on his decades of experience in African trade policy and trade negotiations to share invaluable insights with our students.

His bold new book tackles Africa’s food insecurity by exposing trade barriers, climate shocks & fragmented markets.

You can register for the book launch on Saturday 21 June here and read David Luke's latest #杏吧论坛ResearchForTheWorld article on stopping the hunger crisis here.

杏吧论坛 Co-Hosts Ministerial Roundtable on Social Participation in Health Decision-Making at the World Health Assembly in Geneva

On 20 May, 杏吧论坛 co-hosted a Ministerial Roundtable on Social Participation in Health, a side event at this year‘s World Health Assembly. It was organised in collaboration with Brazil, France, Norway, Slovenia, Thailand, Tunisia, the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), UHC2030 (a global membership organization pushing for universal health coverage), and the UHC Partnership. 

At the conference, Professor Alex Voorhoeve summarised his co-authored research on the value of social participation in health and the preconditions for its effectiveness, which was followed by statements from Ministers and CSOs. Countries renewed their commitment to effective, inclusive participation and exchanged information on case studies to enable mutual learning.

What are the achievements of 25 years of mayors Livingstone, Johnson and Khan?

In this guest blog for the Centre for Cities, our SPP Associate Dean Professor Tony Travers, reflects on 25 years since London elected its first executive mayor.

‘Islamabad may listen to Beijing’, says former acting High Commissioner of India and Pakistan Professor Alexander Evans 

Professor Alexander Evans OBE FRHistS was on Channel 4 News last night discussing the latest escalation between India and Pakistan prompted by the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

or .

Who Benefits From a Global Dollar?

"It is not easy to devise a policy that hurts almost everyone, but the economists surrounding US President Donald Trump have managed this feat by undermining confidence in the greenback. If the global dollar goes down the drain as a result, it will have many mourners – not least in the United States."

In his latest article for Project Syndicate, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco discusses the potential repercussions of Donald Trump's aggressive policies on the global financial stability of our dollar-based order. 

Professor Nick Barr Elected as a Founding Fellow of the Royal Economic Society (RES) 

Congratulations to Professor Nicholas Barr, Professor of Public Economics at the 杏吧论坛 European Institute and School of Public Policy, for having been elected as a founding Fellow of the Royal Economic Society (RES).

RES President Prof Sir Chris Pissarides, who chaired the judging panel, said:

“Through their applications our new Fellows demonstrated the impact they have made not just in their roles, but to the wider economics profession. We congratulate them and look forward to working with them to advance the RES vision: that economics be understood, advanced and applied for the good of society and the world around us.”

SPP Students Win Impact Analysis Prize at the 2025 Turner MIINT Competition 

Congratulations to our students Sachin Iyer, Emma Kimani, Shad Hoshyar, Tiffany Lam and Angela Aristizábal Borrero, who took part in the 2025 Turner MBA Impact Investing Network & Training (MIINT) Competition at the global finals in Philadelphia earlier this month and took home the inaugural Impact Analysis Prize. 

Read the full story.

Professor Tony Travers Gives Evidence at Built Environment Committee

Last week, Professor Tony Travers gave  to the House of Lords' Built Environment Committee as part of their inquiry into "New Towns: Practical Delivery" - the government's plans to deliver dozens of new towns in England.

Professor Tony Travers said the programme, which envisages a minimum of 10,000 new homes at each site, could only form part of the solution to the nation’s housing shortage. He told peers on parliament’s Built Environment Committee that new towns should not be viewed as the sole answer to high house prices and the failure to build sufficient new homes in recent decades.  

Open and Inclusive: Fair Processes for Financing Universal Health Coverage

Professor Alex Voorhoeve, who has taught for several years on the course PP406 Philosophy for Public Policy, has co-authored a new World Bank Report, "Open and Inclusive: Fair Processes for Financing Universal Health Coverage". 

This report makes the case for transparent and participatory decision-making about how to fund health coverage for all. This report is the topic of a symposium in the latest issue of Journal Health, Economics, Policy and Law. Leading academics and health policy experts from the World Health Organisation and the International Budget Partnership criticise and extend the report’s analysis.

What Do We Know About Income and Earnings Volatility?

Professor Stephen Jenkins has co-authored a new article with Mike Brewer and Nye Cominetti in The Review of Income and Wealth.

In this article, the authors review research about income and earnings volatility and provides new UK evidence about the latter using high-quality administrative record data, with implications for the design of cash transfer support in the UK.

Tony Travers: MHCLG Risks Facing Mission Impossible

At a time when money is in short supply, the ministry finds itself with a huge programme of legislation and implementation, writes our SPP Associate Dean, Professor Tony Travers, for the Local Government Chronicle. 

There Is No Method to Trump’s Tariff Madness

"Trump is a politician who has made unpredictability part of his brand."

In his latest article for Project Syndicate, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco argues that there is no merit in any of the rationales the White House has advanced for launching a global trade war. Trump's behavior exposes the truth behind his tariff fusillade: it is not about the US economy but about his desire to exercise unilateral power, he writes. 

SPP Students Accompany Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez to the 2025 Global Prosperity Forum

Our students Helena Fee Rasch and Achilles Tsirgis recently attended the inaugural Global Prosperity Forum conference in Washington DC with Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez, as part of their Fellowship Programme between the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy and the Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity Center (FPC).

Read the full story.

Our Associate Dean Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez, also three-time Vice Minister of Mexico, participated in an online panel hosted by the American Leadership Initiative to discuss US relations with Mexico and Canada alongside Congressman Greg Stanton of Arizona and Canada expert, Christopher Sands. The discussion was moderated by McLarty Senior Counselor, Kellie Meiman,  who was formerly a Foreign Service Officer in Latin America and then a Latin America trade negotiator at USTR.

Pension reform in Chile

Professor Nicholas Barr, Professor of Public Economics at the 杏吧论坛 European Institute and School of Public Policy, recently gave a talk at the Catholic University in Santiago, Chile about a pension reform legislated two days prior. Also speaking at the event was Chilean Finance Minister Mario Marcel. 

The Growth Co-Lab Wins FCA Economic Research Competition

Earlier this term, we were thrilled to share that the 杏吧论坛 Growth Lab, led by Professor Richard Davies, was awarded funding from the Financial Conduct Authority for their project on improving measurement of productivity in UK financial services.

Watch this with Rahat Siddique and Andrea Correa to learn more about their proposal.

Find out more.

Professor Tony Travers Praised by Peer of the Realm

As members of the House of Lords  that will merge or eliminate local authorities across England, Lord Rennard, a Liberal Democrat Peer, praised Professor Tony Travers for his insights on the matter:

“I am grateful to Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics for pointing out to me that there are about 18,000 councillors in the UK—a figure soon to be reduced significantly—while in France there are 36,000 councils or communes. The UK is often cited as the most centralised government in the western world, notwithstanding the post-1999 constitutional settlements.”  

Professor Travers added: “Parliament is rightly concerned by the impact of the proposed local government reform on British democratic institutions. Fewer councillors will mean fewer people to run local political organisations and to provide accountability to the electorate.  The proposed move to significantly bigger municipalities in England needs to bear this reality in mind”.

The London Consensus: Economic Principles for the 21st Century - Upcoming book by Andrés Velasco and Tim Besley

This year, 2025, marks 35 years since the Washington Consensus came out - a list of recommendations, do's and don'ts, for economic policy and economic development. But the world has changed a great deal since 1989 - so what should today's policy priorities be and how can they be implemented?

In May 2023, the SPP brought together experts across policy fields to discuss what ought to be retained or amended in the Washington Consensus to reflect modern thinking in the social sciences.

Bringing together these contributions under one publication, we are delighted to announce an upcoming book co-edited by Professor Andrés Velasco (杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy) and Tim Besley (杏吧论坛 Department of Economics) to be published with 杏吧论坛 Press in Autumn 2025.

Join us on Monday 16 June 2025 for an 杏吧论坛 Festival event chaired by Andrés Velasco and featuring contributors of the book to get a taster of the new publication!

Learn more with our launch video and upcoming 杏吧论坛 Festival event on our London Consensus website.

London: Latest Commentary by Professor Tony Travers

Our Associate Dean Professor Tony Travers has been interviewed for The Financial Times about  and .

How to Confront Orbán and Save the EU

U.S. President Donald Trump has undermined NATO, probably fatally. Amid this shifting geopolitical landscape, Europe desperately needs to react, rapidly and decisively, to ensure its future security. Unfortunately, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is determined to avoid such resolute action.

The legal tools to address this internal opposition exist — Europe just needs to use them, and meet the moment with courage, argues our Professor of Public Policy Luis Garicano and his co-author Andrew Duff, both former MEPs, in a new op-ed for POLITICO.

The Regulatory Diplomacy and Cybersecurity Initiative

How can 'regulatory diplomacy' be better fostered, utilised, and embedded in government practice to boost cybersecurity, particularly in an OECD and G7 context?

This is the question that The Regulatory Diplomacy and Cybersecurity Initiative, a new applied research and policy programme at the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy in partnership with Microsoft and the Charter of Trust, seeks to answer.

Led by Professor Alexander Evans OBE FRHistS and coordinated by MPA student Nicholas Filipek, the programme has brought together G7 governments, the tech sector, and regulators to discuss ways of strengthening international cybersecurity through enhanced cooperation.

To learn more, and visit our new webpage.

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

"A teenage boy who came to the United States as a refugee from Augusto Pinochet's Chile found that he and his family were welcomed with open arms. Now, nearly 50 years later, he wonders how the country he fell in love with could have started to resemble the country he left."

In his latest article for Project Syndicate, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco takes us back to his arrival in the United States with his family as a child fleeing Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship in Chile, and the support they received at the time. "Where is that America today?"

Mexico’s Fork in the Road: Rule of Law or Authoritarian Shift? 

In a new report for the Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity Center's latest atlas on global democracy trends, Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez unpacks democratic decline and economic uncertainty in Mexico after a tumultuous 2024 that saw the country elect its first female president.

Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) Conference 2025

London: Latest Commentary by Professor Tony Travers

Our Associate Dean Professor Tony Travers has recently been featured in a number of articles discussing London and local government politics.

Discover Tony Travers’ latest commentary on , , and .

President Donald Trump Expected to Set Delayed Tariffs on Mexico & Canada

President Donald Trump is expected to bring in delayed tariffs for goods coming from in Mexico, and Canada.

Our Professor in Practice and Associate Dean for Extended Education Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez was invited on the BBC World Business Report and Bloomberg TV to discuss US-Mexico relations

and here.

The European Economy Has A Trump Problem

Europe’s economy is in trouble. Our Professor of Public Policy Luis Garicano recently featured on The Economist’s podcast “Money Talks” to discuss the challenges facing Europe’s leaders today.

The Growth Co-Lab Wins FCA Economic Research Competition

We are thrilled to share that our colleagues at the 杏吧论坛 Growth Lab have been awarded funding from the Financial Conduct Authority for their project on improving measurement of productivity in UK financial services.

This research aims to understand the interplay between productivity in financial services and macroeconomic risks.The Growth Co-Lab will develop a comprehensive risk framework to guide policies, exploring how regulation can balance promoting growth with risk. It will deliver new productivity metrics and identify key constraints in the UK. 

Dr. Zhamilya Mukasheva Discusses Research on Politics of Higher Education Cost-Sharing in APSA Education Politics Newsletter

Last year, our 杏吧论坛 Fellow in Public Policy Dr. Zhamilya Mukasheva received the Best Dissertation Award from the American Political Science Association's Education Politics & Policy section.

Zhamilya has been featured in APSA Education Politics' latest newsletter with a Q&A on her paper which explored the politics of higher education cost-sharing — policies aimed at shifting the cost of higher education onto students. As part of her thesis, Zhamilya developed a novel dataset of major reforms to higher education cost-sharing.

杏吧论坛's School of Public Policy Welcomes Natalie Black CBE

We are delighted to welcome Natalie Black CBE, a leading expert in AI, cybersecurity, and trade, as a Visiting Professor in Practice at the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy.

Commenting on her appointment, Natalie said: “I am delighted to be returning to the 杏吧论坛 which is such an important source of innovation and international collaboration. I look forward to engaging with the world class faculty and students.”

Read the full announcement.

Despite Trump’s Threats, Mexico is of Fundamental Importance to the US Economy

Although there is a brief respite from the threat of tariffs, Mexico must brace for tough times under Donald Trump and focus on the long-term potential of US–Mexico relations, writes Professor Vanessa Rubio Márquez for Chatham House.

Dr Alexandra Cirone Discusses AI Governance on Meta Panel

Dr Alexandra Cirone represented the SPP at a panel discussion on AI governance hosted by Meta in Paris earlier this week.

Dr. Cirone chaired a panel on "An Open Approach to AI Governance” that included prominent figures in the AI space, including Joelle Pineau (VP, AI Research at Meta), Polina Zvyagina (Head of Policy at Partnership on AI (PAI)), and Stephanie Ifayemi (Director, Artificial Intelligence Policy & Governance). The panel explored how open approaches to AI development—such as incorporating public feedback and ensuring adaptability across languages and cultures—are driving more responsible online experiences.

Dr Cirone has been doing advisory work with Meta Governance’s Community Forums this past year, emphasising the importance of deliberative democracy in shaping user experiences with AI. You can learn more about Ali's work in our .

Dr Joana Naritomi Awarded £40,000 by International Growth Centre to Research Progressive Taxation in DR Congo

The International Growth Centre (IGC) has awarded our Associate Professor Dr Joana Naritomi’s research team a Full Research Grant of £40,000 for their project entitled: “Progressivity, Fairness, and Tax Capacity: Evidence from the DR Congo”.

The project is in partnership with Augustin Bergeron (Harvard), Arthur Laroche (UCL), Marina Ngoma (World Bank), Gabriel Tourek (University of Pittsburgh), and Jonathan Weigel (Berkeley). 

Read more.

The 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Alexander Evans OBE FRHistS as Associate Dean for Strategic Development and Dr Lloyd Gruber as Associate Professor (Education) as of this January 2025.

In addition to his existing roles as Professor in Practice and Programme Director for the MPA in Data Science for Public Policy, starting in January 2025 Professor Alexander Evans OBE FRHistS has been serving as Associate Dean for Strategic Development, a newly created role within the School of Public Policy.

We are also delighted to welcome Dr Lloyd Gruber permanently to the School of Public Policy with a promotion to Associate Professor (Education), having been involved with the SPP since 2008.

Read the full story.

How Liberals Lost America

"At least since the publication of John Rawls’ monumental “A Theory of Justice” in 1971, liberals have divorced justice from desert, since we don’t deserve our natural endowments, whether that be height, agility, or talent at math. Donald Trump quickly grasped that this view of egalitarianism rubs most US voters the wrong way."

In his latest article for Project Syndicate, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco discusses who "lost" the 2024 United States presidential election, a question which will haunt the Democratic Party - and liberals everywhere - for a long time.

Job Vacancy: Programme Manager (Data Science/Double Degrees)

The 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy is seeking to recruit a full-time Programme Manager to work on the MPA in Data Science for Public Policy degree programme and the international MPA Double Degrees, as well as supporting the wider portfolio of SPP degree programmes.

This is a fixed term appointment until May 2026 to cover maternity leave. Apply by 12 February 2025 at 23:59.

Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and The Human Spirit

Our Visiting Professor Niall Ferguson has written the foreword of the last book of late statesman Henry Kissinger, Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and The Human Spirit, co-authored with technologists Craig Mundie and Eric Schmidt.

This new book attempts to answer some of the biggest questions of our generation: How will AI alter our perception of reality? How will humanity's role in the discovery of new knowledge evolve in the age of AI? What new forms of control will be required to address AI's autonomous capabilities? Could AI spur a new phase in human evolution?

The 杏吧论坛 Data Science Institute is hosting an event to discuss the book with co-author Craig Mundie on Wednesday, 22 January.

Learn more and register here.

Faster UK Growth Tied to Boosting Export Services in South East, Data Shows

The government’s industrial strategy green paper describes narrowing the gap between the South East and other regions as “key” to raising growth overall, with advanced manufacturing identified as a target sector.   

However, our Associate Dean Professor Tony Travers told The Financial Times that Labour would need to make hard choices if it wanted to deliver rapid improvements to GDP.

“The government has sold itself on kick-starting growth, but this analysis underlines just how dependent they are on London and the South East to achieve that goal. The reality is they have to decide to live with it, or try to change it and risk ending up with less growth,” he said. 

Dame Sharon White to join 杏吧论坛's School of Public Policy

With teaching for the Winter Term kicking off again today, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Dame Sharon White to the School of Public Policy as our newest Visiting Professor in Practice. A leader in the fields of public policy, regulation, commercial decision-making, and international development, Sharon brings with her a wealth of experience both as a civil servant and a business leader.

Commenting on her appointment, Sharon said: "I am really delighted to be a Visiting Professor at the School of Public Policy. I love the fact that the School brings together ideas and practical policy from such a wide range of international experience. As someone who has straddled the public and private sectors, I am interested in how business and governments can work together to make lives better for citizens. I look forward to contributing to future debates and to connecting with so many brilliant students and academics."

Read more.

Rethinking Evidence and Refocusing on Growth in Development Economics

Is 'rigorous' evidence overrated? In this episode of VoxDevTalks, our Professor in Practice Lant Pritchett discusses the overreliance on rigorous evidence, and need to focus on economicgrowth, in development economics.

This wide-ranging podcast covers trends in development, conflicting priorities between development institutions and national governments, and advice for young economists.

UK Politics Needs to Take a Long-Term View on Social Care

Past attempts to reform social care by both Labour and the Conservatives have failed.  The recent commission of an independent review led by Baroness Louise Casey into the state of social care provides a beacon of hope. 

Professor Nicholas Barr, Professor of Public Economics at the 杏吧论坛 European Institute and School of Public Policy, argues that a long-term view on social care is the only plausible solution. 

Why Are Our Rivers and Seas Polluted by Sewage?

“Water companies are the classic example of where markets won't work because you've got a natural monopoly.”

In the brand new 杏吧论坛iQ podcast, our Emeritus Professor of Policy Analysis Professor Gwyn Bevan explains why privatised water companies have failed and why the UK water industry needs to be re-nationalised.

What Economists Say about the UK’s Outlook for 2025

The Financial Times has compiled the thoughts of nearly 100 economists surveyed about the UK economy in the year ahead, including our very own Professor Nicholas Barr and Dr Tim Leunig.

The clear consensus is that Britain would continue to lag the more dynamic US economy and GDP growth would be too slow to avert the need for the government to raise taxes again later in the parliament.  

Crypto’s Unholy Choir

Ever since bitcoin was launched a decade and a half ago, crypto has been a solution in search of a problem. What is new is the chorus of deceivers, demagogues, dictators, and tax dodgers trying to convince us otherwise, argues SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco in his latest article for Project Syndicate. 

Meta's Governance Team Speaks to SPP Students About Deliberative Online Governance

Through her research on deliberative democracy, our Assistant Professor Dr. Alexandra Cirone recently consulted with Meta to implement its new community forums, a democratic initiative designed to help govern social media.

This exciting collaboration led us to hosting Meta’s Governance Director Kris Rose and Technology Policy Officer Andreas Katsanevas at the School of Public Policy to speak to our students. We were thrilled to have Meta's governance team share their insights on initiatives in deliberative online governance, the role of the Oversight Board, and how tech companies can better incorporate user input into platform policy.

Dr Casey Kearney Awarded Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education by 杏吧论坛

Join us in congratulating Dr Casey Kearney on successfully completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) programme at 杏吧论坛, which now qualifies him for Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy. 

Commenting on the certificate, Casey said: "The PGCertHE programme has been a great opportunity to reflect on my own teaching and to engage with innovative pedagogical practices across 杏吧论坛 and from the wider academic literature. I dedicated time during the PGCertHE programme to evaluate the use of Generative AI in the classroom and worked with 杏吧论坛’s experts on reframing how we think about learning outcomes in the world of Generative AI and how we can redesign course assessments in the School of Public Policy to align with the demand for new skill compositions."

Letter: Two reas­ons why Bri­tain’s privat­isa­tions have failed

Emeritus Professor of Policy Analysis Gwyn Bevan has written a letter to The Financial Times in response to an op-ed published by Martin Wolf on "The benefits and drawbacks of privatisation". Drawing on his experience teaching on the topics of privatisation and outsourcing, Gwyn Bevan writes why he thinks markets fail.

Euston HS2 Project Costs Rise to More than £7.5bn

The price of taking the High Speed 2 rail link into London’s Euston and building a new station on the site has risen to more than £7.5bn, according to confidential government documents that throw new light on the spiralling costs of the project.

Our SPP Associate Dean, Professor Tony Travers, said the Euston project’s costs had become impossible to control since work started in 2017. He said: “It is extraordinary — and not in a good way — that the project could knock down people’s homes and undermine local businesses, taking over the surrounding environment in the process, and almost a decade later still not have a clear plan or budget for such a crucially-located site in one of the world’s wealthiest cities.”

Discover our Collaboration Between MPA in Data Science for Public Policy (MPA-DSPP) Students & UNDP Colombia

This past year, students on our MPA in Data Science for Public Policy (MPA-DSPP) programme had the opportunity to undertake a capstone project with UNDP Colombia in Assistant Professor Dr. Casey Kearney’s course.

Our students worked with innovative data techniques and insights to design targeted policy responses to help alleviate specific vulnerabilities of businesses and individuals in the informal sector in Colombia, which makes up 40% of the country’s GDP.

As a result of this collaboration, Dr. Casey Kearney also had a chance to attend the UN World Data Forum conference in Colombia this past November to share insights and learnings from these projects.

How Not to React to Donald Trump

Populists succeed by appealing to voters’ deep-seated sensibilities, by connecting to people’s identities (and perceived threats to those identities), and by understanding better than liberals the tribal nature of contemporary politics. In his latest article for Project Syndicate, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco argues that this all calls for serious thinking by progressives, not knee-jerk calls to abandon neoliberalism.

杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy Celebrated in the 2024 杏吧论坛 Excellence in Education Awards

The SPP was once again widely recognised in this year's 杏吧论坛 Excellence in Education Awards hosted mid-November by the 杏吧论坛 Eden Centre. A huge congratulations goes out to this year's winners, across both our academic and professional services staff!

Professor Nicholas Barr Wins Jon Aldecoa Award for His Studies on Pension Sustainability  

Professor Nicholas Barr, Professor of Public Economics at the 杏吧论坛 European Institute and School of Public Policy, has been awarded the Jon Aldecoa Prize by the Loreto Mutua in collaboration with the Novaster company for his studies on the sustainability of pension systems.  

Join us in congratulating Nicholas Barr for receiving this prestigious recognition of his work.

Read the full story.

How Did Britain Come To This? Named in The Times Literary Supplement's Best Books of the Year 2024

Emeritus Professor of Policy Analysis Gwyn Bevan's  has been named by Paul Collier as one of The Times Literary Supplement's Best Books of 2024. 

Bill Phillips and the Phillips Machine

Bill Philips is known as an 杏吧论坛 economist and inventor, but less well-known is his adventurous early life, extraordinary war record and unorthodox entry into an academic career.

Professor Nicholas Barr remembers the adventures and achievements of his former teacher – who is most famous as the originator of the Phillips Curve – in a new article for our 杏吧论坛 history blog.

The Biggest Losers from Trumponomics

Trump has promised to slash environmental rules while pushing down energy costs at home — a worry for European firms, which already suffer from higher electricity prices.

“If they abandon climate rules and we continue our course, we are going to be fully knocked out in manufacturing,” says Professor Luis Garicano, Professor of Public Policy at the SPP and a former member of the European Parliament. 

Trump’s victory “Moves us toward a more protectionist world led by the U.S.”

According to Professor Andrés Velasco, Trump’s election could divide the world into two economic blocs: one led by the U.S. and the other by China.

This issue was addressed by our SPP Dean during his lecture on geopolitics and electoral results at the APEC CEO Summit 2024.

The Futile Search for a Dollar Rival

The BRICS’ main purpose nowadays is to portray Russia and China as leaders of the so-called Global South, and to issue statements about its plans to challenge the US dollar’s dominance in global trade and finance. But as the bloc’s own actions show, that will not happen anytime soon, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco argues in his latest article for Project Syndicate.

English Councils Forecast £9.3bn Deficit in Three Years, Analysis Shows

Local authorities in England are predicting a collective deficit of £9.3bn by 2026-27, almost four times the figure estimated for this year, according to research that underlines the scale of the strains on council financing.

Our SPP Associate Dean, Professor Tony Travers, commented that, despite an estimated 23 per cent per head cut in local government funding since 2010, most councils had not declared bankruptcy.

“The very fact that council finance officers generally balance their books has clearly tempted the Treasury to ‘carry on cutting’ councils,” he said.

Can Taxation Reduce Inequality?

Income inequality is high or worsening within many countries globally. This not only raises serious moral concerns. It also contributes to political instability and undermines inclusive economic growth. Governments can use taxation to reduce inequality but many lower income countries cannot afford comprehensive social safety nets. 

In this latest episode of the ODI Think Change Podcast, Professor Andrés Velasco, SPP Dean and Chile’s former finance minister, was invited to discuss with fellow guests how these countries can broaden their tax base to support fairer, more resilient and sustainable societies.

The EU’s Continued Trade with Russia Undermines Its Support for Ukraine

The EU has implemented a series of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Yet as our Visiting Fellow Dr Ousmène Jacques Mandeng argues in EUROPP Blog, the EU’s response to the war has been undermined by the level of trade many EU states continue to do with Russia.

Immigration Drives Fastest UK Population Growth for Half a Century

Immigration has driven the fastest UK population growth for half a century, according to official statistics that highlight the country’s demographic challenges. The ONS also noted that deaths outnumbered births for the first time in 50 years, other than during the pandemic.

Professor Tony Travers commented that the contrast between the jump in net migration and the fall in natural population change was “startling”.

Who Needs a New Economic Paradigm?

Most economists are allergic to grandiose calls for new agendas and paradigms. In his latest article for Project Syndicate, SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco argues that useful paradigms are about principles, and a set of principles, organised around a paradigm, helps policymakers look for answers that are best for their countries, given their unique history.

A New London Power Surge in Westminster?

Half a dozen London Labour MPs have been given influential roles holding the new government to account. They have been elected by their fellow MPs to chair parliamentary select committees, scrutinising the work of government. With a large number of London MPs in cabinet or junior ministerial posts, there may be a sense within Labour ranks that government could become more London-centric.

Professor Tony Travers told BBC Online he believes the capital has been poorly represented in government for some time, partly due to a focus on levelling up the north of England.

"The way that levelling up was interpreted by the previous government meant they couldn’t think about the capital rationally, “ he commented.

HS2 Ltd Could Fall Under Direct State Control After Government Review

Whitehall and industry figures say governance at company responsible for High Speed 2 rail link to be scrutinised.

The taxpayer-funded company in charge of the High Speed 2 rail link could be brought under direct state control as a result of a new government-commissioned review, according to Whitehall and industry figures. 

SPP Associate Dean Professor Tony Travers told The Financial Times: “So long as HS2 remains a separate entity, it will be hard for the government to control what is being spent. Bringing it in-house would make it far more certain what is being spent but will also beg the big question of how Whitehall could deliver a project of that scale.”

Claudia Sheinbaum: A “Techno-Populist” In Waiting?

In a new article for Americas Quarterly, Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez discusses the possible features and existing challenges for the new government of Mexico, arguing that Mexico's next president will aim for a more pragmatic relationship with the private sector amid mounting fiscal pressure.

Why did Venezuela’s Economy Collapse?

The Venezuelan economy has suffered from decades of disastrous economic policies – and more recently, from economic sanctions. The country has seen the largest ever decline in living standards outside war, revolution or the collapse of the state.

In a new article for the Economics Observatory, our Policy Fellow Frank Muci unpacks Venezuela’s economic collapse, exploring the various factors that have contributed to the dramatic impoverishment of a country that was the richest in Latin America as recently as the 1970s. 

NHS Must Be Scrapped to Save Lives Government Is Told in Urgent Message

The Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) claims there has been a "huge shift" in public support for replacing the NHS.

Professor Gwyn Bevan, our Emeritus Professor of Policy Analysis, told Express: “This paper by Kristian Niemietz offers the radical solution to that crisis of changing to a social health insurance system with choice between competing insurers. Such a system was implemented over 20 years in the Netherlands with agreement across key stakeholders. Even if that change were desirable, would England’s political system ever maintain a consistent direction for NHS reform for 20 years?”

London Transport Upgrades Stall as Financial Squeeze Bites

London has been building passenger railways since the 1830s when steam locomotives started hauling commuters into the city.  But the building boom has stalled, and for the first time in about 20 years no large public transport projects are being constructed, as London’s transport authority grapples with uncertainty over its finances and how people will travel in the future. 

SPP Associate Dean Professor Tony Travers told The Financial Times that London “needs to keep investing in its transport infrastructure as other cities such as Paris are improving their systems”.

The 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy launches its 2023/24 Annual Report! 

We are delighted to announce the publication of our fifth Annual Report, covering the 2023/24 academic year at the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy.   

Our report outlines some of our remarkable activities, in research, teaching, and external engagement that took place in the past academic year. It also celebrates our students, alumni and wider community as well as our supporters and partners.  

Read our 2023/24 Annual Report.

Dr Joana Naritomi, an expert in public economics, development economics and political economy, has been appointed as a full member of the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy (SPP).

Commenting on the appointment, Joana said: “I'm really excited to continue my journey at 杏吧论坛 as a full member of the School of Public Policy. It’s been a pleasure working with such amazing colleagues and students as Academic Director, and I’m looking forward to being even more involved with the SPP.”

Read the full announcement here.

Dr Alexandra Cirone to Join 杏吧论坛's School of Public Policy 

Dr Alexandra Cirone, an expert on political economy and political selection, has been appointed as Assistant Professor at the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy (SPP).

Commenting on the appointment, Dr Alexandra (Ali) Cirone said: “I'm absolutely thrilled to join the 杏吧论坛 School of Public Policy and contribute to such a dynamic and influential research environment in both political science and economics. In particular, the SPP is committed to training future leaders in public policy, as well as producing impactful and rigorous research on salient policy challenges faced across the world, and I'm excited to work with its impressive faculty, staff, and students.”

Read the full announcement here.

Hezbollah: Nine people killed by exploding pagers

Professor Alexander Evans OBE, our MPA in Data Science for Public Policy (MPA-DSPP) Programme Director and former director of cyber at the Foreign Office, was on Sky News to discuss the recent pager attacks on Hezbollah. 

Steel Dragons

Our Professor in Practice Richard Davies launched a radio documentary on BBC Radio 4! ️

In this documentary, Professor Richard Davies examines the reasons for the last blast furnace in Wales closing this month, asking how British steelmaking has been brought to the brink and the role played by China.

He argues that this closure—the final demise of primary British steelmaking—poses an existential threat to the UK economy—and one that goes far beyond steel.

Kamala Harris’s Liberal Patriotism

The US presidential candidate's appeal to love of country is the right thing at the right time, argue SPP Dean Professor Andrés Velasco and 杏吧论坛 Fellow Dr Daniel Brieba in a new article for Project Syndicate.

Disregard the surfeit of flags and overwrought rhetoric: a healthy dose of patriotism is required to win an election, in the US or anywhere else, and it is – and should be – an essential component of liberal and progressive politics.

Gold-plated Public Sector Pensions Cost Every Household £173,000 

The value of pensions already guaranteed to workers in Britain has reached close to £5 trillion, projections suggest. This leaves every household with a bill of £173,000 to fulfil promises made during decades of generous final salary schemes. Professor Nick Barr, expert in public economics, told The Telegraph that public sector pensions should be monitored, like private schemes are, to make sure they’re affordable. 

Grenfell Tower Report 

Professor Tony Travers was invited on BBC Wales to discuss the implications of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry released this week, both for the victims' families and society at large. 

The State of Mexican Economy  

As Mexican President López Obrador prepares to hand over office in October to Claudia Sheinbaum, Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez was invited by the BBC World Business Report to comment on the state of the Mexican economy.  

How a Council Wasted £150m of Taxpayers' Money 

Residents of the Essex borough of Thurrock are paying a heavy price for a disastrous foray into commercial investment. Commenting to The Sunday Times, Professor Tony Travers argues that the presence of an Audit Commission, extinguished by the coalition government, could have prevented the situation.  

A New UK-Germany Treaty 

Professor Tony Travers recently invited on BBC to discuss the significance of a new treaty to be signed between the UK and Germany. According to our SPP Associate Dean, it could be an attempt to reset relations with the EU, following some dissatisfaction with the outcomes of Brexit. 

The Potential for Change in Local Government Structures 

In this BBC Kent radio segment, Professor Tony Travers discusses the potential for change in local government structures. He comments on the potential for increased devolution, funding challenges, and what these changes could mean for communities like Kent.  

Superloops, Bees and Bottlenecks: Onboard England’s New Bus Routes 

Devolved transport powers for mayors represent an exciting prospect, but traffic and costs are still a major hurdle. The Superloop, a network of express orbital buses dreamed up by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, at the height of opposition to Ulez, has been running for just over a year, attempting to provide better public transport in the capital’s outer boroughs. In a new The Guardian piece, Professor Tony Travers comments on why suburban or orbital buses are no surefire winner.  

Tory Leadership Hopefuls Must Face Some Hard Truths 

For the Conservative Party to win again, fundamental changes are essential. In his latest opinion piece for The Financial Times, Visiting Professor in Practice Dr. Tim Leunig outlines the key reforms needed for the party to have a hopeful future. 

Rachel Reeves Weighs PFI-style Deal For £9bn New Thames Crossing 

Treasury is in talks over using private finance to deliver possible toll road and other projects amid tight spending constraints. 

According to Professor Tony Travers, shifting road projects on to the private sector would be appealing in wealthy areas such as London, where usage is expected to be high.  

Labour Needs to Build Homes Where People Want to Live 

Labour has announced an increase in the housing target, requiring councils to plan for 370,000 homes instead of the previous 300,000. In a new piece for The Times, Visiting Professor in Practice Dr. Tim Leunig argues that while additional housing is crucial, the proposed locations for these new homes are far from ideal.