Industry Comment: The Fundamental Flaw in Forecasts

Decision makers routinely use long-term economic forecasts for a range of decisions on the allocation of public funds. But recent events have severely undermined the so-called science of forecasting. Regeneris Consulting Managing Director Stephen Nicol asks whether we need to re-think how we use forecasts. [read more]

Ramping up returns from the RDAs

The recent national evaluation of the Regional Development Agencies provides a new source of evidence on their effectiveness. Director Simon Hooton asks what RDAs should be looking to achieve with the next tranche of money coming their way, and whether they should be changing the pattern of their investment. [read more]

The Low Carbon Economy: taking a step into the unknown

The Climate Change Act of 2008 commits the UK to achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of 80% by 2050. Senior Consultant Andrew Clegg looks at what this implies for the UK economy and what the public sector can do to encourage a shift to a low carbon economy. [read more]

Have Britain's cities got talent?

All the evidence shows that skills are vital to successful cities, and that higher level skills are particularly important to the so-called knowledge based sectors. Director Neil Evans examines the labour market density of British cities.

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Realising the potential of Outer London

The work of Boris Johnson’s Outer London Commission is now well underway. Given the scale and diversity of outer London, the task of bringing about a noticeable economic change is perhaps greater than the Mayor had imagined. Senior Consultant Chris Paddock and Director Jim Coleman outline the key challenges any effective strategy needs to address, and offer some interesting solutions. [read more]