Economics Observatory | Questions and answers about coronavirus and the UK economy

Ideas for the UK - election economics collection

Prospects for taxes and public services have been central in the election campaign. But the UK faces many other challenges, including housing, skills, climate, inequalities, energy, trade and policies to address the foundational problem of poor productivity. All our election coverage in one place.

Transport & infrastructure

Universal basic infrastructure: how could it support growth across the UK?

The UK’s public services are stretched thin across the country, serving higher numbers of people with lower budgets. Introducing minimum standards and levels of infrastructure and services could help to reduce local and regional inequalities and ensure that all places prosper.

Data stories

Euro 2024 last 16 update: is football coming home?

Surprise results in the last group matches of the Euros mean that four of the five strongest teams at its outset are on one side of the draw. Spain are now the tournament’s clear favourites – and most likely to meet the Netherlands in the final. England are joint second favourites with the Dutch.

DATA HUB

The UK’s productivity gap

Poor productivity is the UK’s foundational problem - and it has rightly been a central issue in the 2024 election campaign.

In 2023, UK productivity was 24% lower than it would have been had it continued climbing at the rates seen before the global financial crisis. Before the crisis, the country’s labour productivity growth was 2% a year. It is currently just 0.5% a year, a drop that costs the average household about £11,500.

How can the UK revive its ailing productivity? Read this Observatory article, which links to the full range of our coverage of the problem.

News

Ideas for the UK – election economics nations and regions week

What are the big issues under debate in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales? And what’s happened to ‘levelling up’ – the ambition to address the UK’s long-standing geographical inequalities touted in the 2019 election? Our fifth election newsletter looks at cities, regions and the devolved nations.

MAGAZINE

Read the latest edition of our magazine here

What is the right level of migration for the UK? Is the country on track to meet its commitments on tackling climate change? And how will big changes in the world trading environment affect the economy? Our fourth election newsletter looks at some of the global issues at stake in the election.

Pensions, savings & investment

How do elections affect the stock market?

Uncertainty around elections – and the potential policy decisions of new governments – can lead to fluctuations in the stock market. Over the longer term, the party in power seems to make limited difference to the performance of shares in publicly listed companies.

Nations, regions & cities

What are the key election issues in Scotland?

The campaign north of the border is largely focused on issues that are the Scottish government’s responsibility. But a change of government in Westminster – with a new focus on growth, fiscal strategy, energy policy and the role of the Scottish Office – could see a big shift in policies in Scotland.

Nations, regions & cities

What are the key election issues in Wales?

Labour will comfortably win the general election in Wales. But there may be economic, fiscal and political troubles ahead. Welsh voters cite public services as their main concern – yet while health, education and housing are devolved, the next UK government will play a key role in their funding.

Families & households

#ElectionEconomics: what are the parties proposing on housing?

The UK is in the middle of a housing crisis related to availability, quality and affordability. The political parties promise high rates of housebuilding, and more, but questions about delivery remain.

Public spending, taxes & debt

#ElectionEconomics: What are the parties proposing on taxes?

Funding public services has been central to the UK general election debate. The political parties have set out plans in their manifestos, but questions about affordability remain, not least given the general reluctance to announce any increases in taxation.

Nations, regions & cities

What are the key election issues in Northern Ireland?

In Northern Ireland, 18 seats are being contested in the 2024 general election. Ever-present constitutional issues and heightened economic and social challenges are likely to feature prominently in voters’ minds.

Nations, regions & cities

What transport policies could improve the UK’s productivity?

Towns and cities with effective transport within and between them host more productive businesses, which can pay higher wages. But with too few of such places, the UK suffers from low productivity. Making the transport investments we need locally instead of according to national plans would help.

Nations, regions & cities

How are the UK’s devolved nations faring ahead of the general election?

Over the current parliamentary term, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have each faced unique challenges as well as common ones, such as rising economic inactivity. Measures of output, productivity and the labour market indicate where the devolved nations could improve their economic prospects.

News

Ideas for the UK: election manifesto week

How can we build more houses? Should taxes and welfare spending be cut? Does the National Health Service need an injection of cash and staff? Our third election newsletter explores some of the big ideas presented this week in the party manifestos.

All Answers