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Economics, Cities, Policy. Professor, London School of Economics. Research Director Centre for Economic Performance @cep-lse.bsky.social. Director @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social. President @urbaneconomics.bsky.social

We've run training to introduce logic models to over 500 people from across local, central, and devolved governments 💬 These are our three key lessons👇 buff.ly/Usztj25

Join us at the opening night of the LSE Festival to hear Ed Conway, Linda Yueh, Catherine Thomas, and Peter Hill talking about how climate change action is being affected by the geopolitical shocks reshaping trade, production and investment. Chair: Anna Valero ow.ly/v4ou50Z5zS5

Just published: Three new @cep-lse.bsky.social discussion papers building on our work for the Economy 2030 project. One from me and co-authors on spatial productivity disparities cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publica...

What happens when policy, research and evaluation experts work with local policymakers on economic inactivity? A new What Works Growth, UPEN, ONS Local and @employmentstudies.bsky.social pilot brought together 14 of 16 MCAs and CCAs to explore that question👇 buff.ly/mNSEY2Z

We are delighted to be part of the new Economics of Education Research Centre along with UCL's Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO) and the The Institute for Fiscal Studies For Fiscal Studies. Read: https://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/news/abstract.asp?index=11075

Trade conflict is back — but what do trade wars mean for economies and global power? Join us for the upcoming panel discussion on the future of global trade in an era of rising geopolitical tension. ⏰ 4 June 2026 6.30pm - 8pm 🏢 Old Theatre, Old Building + online https://ow.ly/WXg350Z2hkF

This paper examines the implications of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) using a dynamic spatial general equilibrium model. Unlike previous studies that primarily projected potential impacts of Brexit based on uncertain scenarios, this analysis introduces new estimates of tariffs and nontariff measures (NTMs) specified by the TCA. The findings show that while the TCA will necessitate substantial adjustments for some sectors, Brexit will not fundamentally alter the overall structure of the UK economy. However, the main impacts will manifest as significant hits to real wages and productivity, exacerbating the long-standing economic challenges faced by the UK.

For local government officers navigating complex economic challenges, logic models offer a practical tool to help design, communicate and evaluate interventions. To date, we’ve run training to…

We study productivity disparities across metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in Great Britain. Spatial disparities in productivity are large and persistent. Using a development accounting framework, we show that differences in area size and in the spatial distribution of human and business capital are key explanatory factors. A combination of area size and human capital explains 30 percent of the productivity variance, increasing to 43 to 57 percent once we add measures of business capital stocks. Applying our framework to a case study of Greater Manchester, we show that large increases in both types of capital are needed to narrow productivity disparities with London, illustrating the scale of the challenge for policies aimed at reducing spatial inequality.

This blog is co-authored by Megan Streb, What Works Growth Deputy Director Outreach, and Rich Pickford, Co-Chair of the Areas of Research Interest (ARI) Sub-Committee at Universities Policy…

We study the role of job-to-job transitions in shaping wage dynamics in the United Kingdom. We show that job moves have continued to generate substantial wage gains for movers even during a period of real wage stagnation and declining labour market mobility. Using an econometric model that accounts for worker, firm, and match heterogeneity, we decompose the job mobility premium and find a limited role for worker and firm effects, with most of the return explained by match-specific factors. We also examine the determinants of job mobility and show that much of its recent decline reflects compositional changes in the workforce, particularly ageing and increasing occupational professionalisation. We conclude by discussing the policy challenges of promoting job mobility as a driver of wage growth and more efficient labour market reallocation.

📣 Call for papers 📣 20th North American Meeting of the Urban Economics Association September 25 - 26, 2026 Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago Keynotes by Jens Ludwig and Steve Redding Please submit your paper by May 21st urbaneconomics.org/meetings/uea...