How price comparison websites do customers a disservice
They're meant to give customers the best deals out there, but price comparison websites can increase prices people end up paying.
UK
United Kingdom
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
Bankers have a moral compass, it just may not look like yours
If we keep saying high finance is operating in a morality vacuum, we will miss the chance to understand and fix its problems.
Fact Check: has the coalition added 1,000 jobs every day in office?
We asked two academics to check the prime minister's figures on job creation.
Beyond TTIP’s false choices and tall tales of free trade
Don't believe the hype about free trade, there are zero guarantees it will make us better off.
Explainer: what is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership?
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will be the world's biggest free trade agreement. But what's at stake?
MPs are right – BBC must wake up to new media realities
The Future of the BBC report was right on a number of counts. The public broadcaster would do well to take heed.
After Bitcoin, are you ready for the next generation of cryptocurrencies?
With the Bank of England mooting the idea it might get involved with digital currencies, you might think it was good news for Bitcoin.
Flash Crash jitters: what to know about high-speed trading before the next market disaster strikes
The 2010 Flash Crash wiped 1,000 points off the DJIA in an instant. An MIT professor explains how to keep it from happening again.
What’s gone wrong at HSBC?
As HSBC suffers under the scorching spotlight of public scrutiny once more, it is fair to ask why the banking group so often finds itself at the heart of the action.
Fact Check: are British workers less productive than Germans and French?
Labour's Chuka Umunna said Britain is lagging behind in terms of productivity. We got two academics to look at the facts.
Austerity was necessary in 2010, but we don’t need much more
David Cameron is going to have to defend his austerity record in the weeks ahead. Did he get it right?
Greece will stay in the euro – for now
Greece's loan extension agreement will keep it in the eurozone for the time being, but there's no guarantees it can become a responsible member.
Egypt fights Islamic State – and pushes for economic growth
IS doesn't just pose a security threat to Egypt, it significantly increases the country's need to restore growth and boost employment.
Why scandals aren’t bad for business in the long term
New research shows how companies bounce back from scandals to achieve better profits in the long term.
Britain’s climate consensus puts politicians in a corner over carbon emissions
Do David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg realise that they have signed up to a drastic and global reduction in emissions?
European Central Bank lifts the curtain, but struggles to act
The first ever minutes from the rate setting meeting at the ECB should remind member governments of the Eurozone's disarray.
How Greece’s euro stalemate is hurting currency markets
So long as there is uncertainty about Greece's place in the eurozone, turmoil in financial markets will continue.
Greece’s path out of the euro
The eurozone will survive without Greece and Greeks can go it alone.
Are we witnessing the long, slow death of the potato?
The humble spud has been a main attraction on our dinner plates for over 500 years. Are its days numbered?
Green the economy to boost well-being and prosperity
GDP growth only gets us so far in terms of increasing health and well-being, but greener policies can make us better off all round.
Research and News
Crowdsourcing competitions often hijacked: study
How malicious behaviour often diminishes crowdsourcing competitions.
Opinions harden on what it means to be ‘truly British’
Proving your true colours as a Brit is harder than ever.
Beyond GDP
Better ways to measure well-being
If a corporation used a form of GDP to report its results, it would be laughed out of town.
Happiness is about more than just individuals
Anyone trying to measure people’s happiness instead of GDP to reveal true well-being needs to factor in not just individuals but the wider society.
Greece
Greece will stay in the euro – for now
Greece's loan extension agreement will keep it in the eurozone for the time being, but there's no guarantees it can become a responsible member.
Greece’s path out of the euro
The eurozone will survive without Greece and Greeks can go it alone.
European Central Bank lifts the curtain, but struggles to act
The first ever minutes from the rate setting meeting at the ECB should remind member governments of the Eurozone's disarray.
Global economy
Why the WTO still matters
A new era of globalization is under threat from a breakdown in current trade negotiations.
What will the next financial crisis look like…
… and are we ready?
Signals of a two speed global recovery, and Britain could drift into the slow lane
Publication of the OECD’s Economic Outlook makes the economy warning lights flash a little brighter.
Columnists
Editors’ Picks
The simple win-win case for higher wages in Britain
Will the relative weakness of workers stop us setting out on a path to genuine economic recovery?
ECB decision should be good news for Greece, but Syriza will get in the way
The European Central Bank’s decision to spend 60 billion euro a month to buy sovereign debt in order to fight deflation and revive the crumbling eurozone coincides with a snap Greek parliamentary election…
Hard Evidence: how much is cybercrime really costing us?
In the wake of the latest high-profile hack of Sony and claims of “cyber-vandalism” being thrown about, it’s normal to feel a sense of unease. Just this week, yet another proposal for new cybersecurity…
Is this the end of the road for business travel?
The world’s airport business lounges might be even more peaceful and relaxing this year as companies decide to rein in spending on travel. Budgets have been squeezed by airline and hotel pricing trends…
Soaring Swiss franc causes havoc on currency markets
In one of the most remarkable days in the foreign exchange market for at least 20 years, the Swiss franc rose by an astonishing 30% against the euro in a mere five minutes. This is as a result of the announcement…
Chinese vintners are winning renown as wine industry soars
China’s fast-growing wine industry is beginning to earn international acclaim and attract foreign talent.
Putin meets the press – as state takes tighter grip of economy
The Russian president has announced capital controls to help stabilise the rouble. But this is also a significant step on the road to state control of the economy.
Living with a 10 billion euro bailout – the story from the streets of Cyprus
When the world’s financial institutions decide to jump in and help your economy, it doesn’t mean things get any easier.
Priceless: the inefficient, but merry economics of Christmas
Giving presents might “destroy” the value of the items we put under the tree, but surely economists too can share the holiday spirit?
Bankers will lie at the toss of a coin – but only when at work, says new study
There is something in the culture of banking that lends itself toward making otherwise fairly good people do bad things. That’s the finding of a new study published in the journal, Nature. And it may simply…
Events
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Testing the Contact Hypothesis with Israelis and Palestinians — University of Bath
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Psychology and mental health: Beyond nature and nurture — University of Liverpool
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Random Phenomena in the Theory of Numbers — University of York
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