Author Archives: Laurie

Moving beyond neoliberalism (Friends Provident Foundation)

October 2017 Neoliberalism – the set of socioeconomic ideas and policies which have dominated public life over the last 40 years – has failed.  Despite the evidence that neither its analyses nor its prescriptions have worked, neoliberalism remains the dominant perspective of most socioeconomic commentary and policy-making in the UK. It needs to be replacedContinue reading “Moving beyond neoliberalism (Friends Provident Foundation)”

How to deliver a national mission to decarbonise the British economy

The arguments for mission-oriented industrial strategy in general, and the focus on a zero carbon mission in particular, have been well made. Historical examples – the moon landings provide the usual case – prove that it matters who is driving innovation and for what purpose. Public policy can steer the path of socioeconomic development toward solutionsContinue reading “How to deliver a national mission to decarbonise the British economy”

Time for a New Paradigm? Past and Present Transitions in Economic Policy (Political Quarterly)

1st September 2017 This article, written with Alfie Stirling, seeks to place the UK’s present economic ‘moment’ in historical context. Over the course of the decade since the 2007 financial crisis, it has increasingly been acknowledged that a cyclical crisis has become a structural crisis. The failure of most economists to predict the financial crashContinue reading “Time for a New Paradigm? Past and Present Transitions in Economic Policy (Political Quarterly)”

Gearing up for the transition: The role of transport in a Northern energy strategy (IPPR)

18th July 2017 This IPPR paper – released as part of the major Northern Energy Taskforce – explores the major problems facing transport, and the potential of a mobility transition to overcome these problems as part of a wider programme of socioeconomic renewal. It argues that the north of England is well positioned to playContinue reading “Gearing up for the transition: The role of transport in a Northern energy strategy (IPPR)”

London should embrace digital technology to clean up its dirty air

The mayor of London’s plan to introduce the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) by April 2019 is a very important step in reducing London’s lethal and illegal air pollution. This air pollution is attributable to over 9,400 early deaths per year; the negative health effects it causes fall particularly hard on children and low income communities. The greatest sourceContinue reading “London should embrace digital technology to clean up its dirty air”

Crossroads: Choosing a future for London’s transport in the digital age (IPPR)

24th March 2017 With the emergence of disruptive technologies, London is on the cusp of major changes to the way that people move around the city. This IPPR report explains how positive network effects between new and existing transport services represent an unprecedented opportunity to overcome London’s transport difficulties, providing the mayor with profound scopeContinue reading “Crossroads: Choosing a future for London’s transport in the digital age (IPPR)”