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Alan Shipman

Lecturer in Economics, The Open University

Alan Shipman is a lecturer in economics at the Open University.

Research interests
Personal finance, currently focusing on the disintegration of insurance pools and the disincentives to household saving. Other active interests in: Chinese multinational business; impact of ‘academisation’ on knowledge; social economics; foundations of the market economy.

Election 2024: polling shows voters don’t believe the tax pledges

Jun 05, 2024 01:51 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The two main parties contesting the UK general election have been unusually cautious on their spending plans, despite urgent calls for more public funding to tackle crises in housing, social care and the...

The idea that US interest rates will stay higher for longer is probably wrong

Apr 15, 2024 10:39 am UTC| Economy

The 0.4% rise in US consumer prices in March didnt look like headline news. It was the same as the February increase, and the year-on-year rise of 3.5% is still sharply down from 5% a year ago. All the same, this modest...

Central Banking Series

If central banks don't start cutting them soon, it could actually increase inflation

Nov 01, 2023 07:03 am UTC| Economy Central Banks

What next for interest rates? The Bank of Englands Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is widely expected to leave them unchanged when it meets on November 2, despite the fact that UK headline inflation is still at 6.7%. If...

Four ways the UK economy is being hampered by the private sector

Mar 28, 2023 14:25 pm UTC| Economy

The UK government has decided to go ahead with a rise in corporation tax in April 2023. The move is a clear reversal of the tax reduction which previous chancellors hoped would encourage output and innovation. The idea...

How to tackle the UK cost of living crisis

Aug 15, 2022 17:42 pm UTC| Economy

UK inflation, already at 40-year highs, could pass 13% in October, according to Bank of England forecasts. While wages have not kept pace with inflation, much of the expected squeeze on households and businesses is down to...

Inflation, recession fears and tax cuts: any new UK chancellor faces an unenviable in-tray

Jul 07, 2022 15:59 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

The flood of ministerial resignations from UK prime minister Boris Johnsons government in recent days started with Rishi Sunaks resignation as UK chancellor of the exchequer on July 5 2022, alongside health secretary Sajid...

Global Reflation Series

Inflation or deflation – which would be worse right now?

May 09, 2020 08:16 am UTC| Economy

Inflation among the 37 member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) fell from 2.3% in February to 1.7% in March. With all the damage to global health and economies inflicted by...

Economy

UK Pledges £275M to Boost Skilled Workforce and Cut Reliance on Foreign Labor

The UK government has announced a 275 million ($371 million) investment to strengthen its skilled workforce, targeting critical industries like engineering and defense. Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed the funding on...

U.S. Strikes on Iran Fuel Market Jitters, Oil Prices Expected to Spike

Global markets are bracing for volatility after the U.S. launched airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities, a move President Donald Trump called a spectacular military success. Investors expect a sharp rise in oil prices and...

UK Unveils £10 Billion Industrial Strategy to Boost Jobs and Innovation

The UK government is set to unveil a 10-year industrial strategy aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and investment across high-growth sectors. Part of Prime Minister Keir Starmers Plan for Change, the...

Middle East Conflict Spurs Oil Surge and Market Uncertainty as U.S. Weighs Involvement

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, investors are bracing for potential U.S. military involvement and its economic ripple effects. Markets are watching closely as the Trump administration considers joining...

Russian Stocks Flat as MOEX Index Stalls, Commodities Mixed

Russian equities closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index posting no change at 0.00%. Market activity remained muted, with top-traded stocks like AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS), Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT), and...

Politics

Trump’s Iran Strike Sparks Global Tensions, Risks Wider Conflict

In a stunning reversal of his long-held stance against foreign wars, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized direct strikes on Irans nuclear sites, joining Israel in escalating the Middle East conflict. The attack,...

Iran Warns of "Everlasting Consequences" After U.S. Strikes Nuclear Sites

Iran has issued a sharp warning following U.S. airstrikes on three of its nuclear facilities, declaring the attacks will bring everlasting consequences. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who also leads the countrys...

Middle East Airspace Avoided After U.S. Strikes on Iran, Airlines Reroute Flights

Airlines are continuing to reroute flights to avoid key parts of the Middle East after the U.S. carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to FlightRadar24, commercial air traffic is steering clear of...

U.S. Lawmakers React Sharply to Trump’s Iran Airstrikes

U.S. lawmakers issued swift and polarized reactions to President Donald Trumps decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday, sparking debate over legality, foreign policy, and the risk of broader conflict....

B-2 Stealth Bombers Lead Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

The U.S. Air Forces B-2 Spirit stealth bombers spearheaded a high-impact mission on Saturday, striking three of Irans key nuclear sites. President Donald Trump confirmed the very successful attack, announcing that the...

Science

SpaceX Starship Explodes in Texas During Test, Citing Nitrogen Tank Failure

SpaceXs Starship spacecraft exploded in a dramatic fireball during a late-night test at the companys Starbase facility in Brownsville, Texas, on June 18, 2025. The 400-foot Mars-bound rocket, a key part of Elon Musks...

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Recover After Boeing Starliner Delay

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are steadily recovering after spending nine unexpected months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeings Starliner capsule. Initially intended...

SpaceX Starship Test Flight Reaches New Heights but Ends in Setback

SpaceXs massive Starship rocket, central to Elon Musks vision for interplanetary travel, launched its ninth uncrewed test flight from Starbase, Texas, on May 27, 2025. The two-stage vehiclecomprising the upper-stage...

Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

Jared Isaacman, billionaire, CEO and nominee to become the next NASA administrator, faced questions on April 9, 2025, from members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during his confirmation...

Lab-grown meat: you may find it icky, but it could drive forward medical research

Lab-grown meat causes heated debates. Proponents see benefits for the climate and animal welfare. Opponents worry about a Frankenstein food they regard as risky and unnatural. Whatever your opinion, the technology...

Technology

Meta and Oakley Launch AI Smart Glasses with Meta AI and Camera Features

Meta has expanded its wearable tech portfolio by partnering with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, following the strong market response to its Ray-Ban Meta line. The collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, parent...

US Considers Revoking Chipmaker Authorizations in China Amid Trade Tensions

The U.S. Department of Commerce is reportedly weighing the revocation of special authorizations granted to global chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC, potentially limiting their access to American chipmaking equipment...

Apple Reportedly Eyes AI Startup Perplexity Amid Rising Search Tech Competition

Apple is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, according to Bloomberg News. The internal discussions, which involve Apples MA chief Adrian Perica, services head Eddy...

Meta and Oakley Unveil AI Smart Glasses for Athletes and Adventurers

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has partnered with Oakley to launch the Oakley Meta HSTN, a high-performance AI smart eyewear product blending advanced technology with athletic design. Targeting athletes and active...

BBC Considers Legal Action Against AI Firm Perplexity Over Content Use

The BBC is reportedly preparing legal action against AI search engine Perplexity for allegedly using its content without permission to train artificial intelligence models. According to the Financial Times, the UK public...