Festival of Politics 2013 �

Parental beliefs are recognised by psychologists as an important causal influence on child development. A two-period model of human capital accumulation in the framework of Becker and Tomes (1986) is presented. In the first period parents transfer their beliefs, distinct from genes, to children...

On September 18th 2014 the people of Scotland will choose whether to remain part of the United Kingdom or to become an independent country. If Scotland becomes an independent country this would bring to a close one of the longest serving and most successful economic and political unions in the...

This paper considers which currency option would be best for an independent Scotland. We examine three currency options: being part of a sterling currency union, adopting the euro, or having an independent currency. No currency option is the best when considered against all criteria. Therefore,...

This Discussion Paper is an updated and revised version of a paper accepted to the Oxford Review of Economic Policy to reflect the subsequent data releases. Dr Angus Armstrong, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, Economic and Social Research, Council Senior Fellow and Centre...

We use a rational agent model of savings and labour supply to considering how consumer responses to a worsening of labour market opportunities could be influenced by the extent of private sector indebtedness. Our simulations indicate that responses to a negative labour market shock depend...

NIESR Discussion Paper Number 265. Report produced by the National Institute of Social and Economic Research for the Department for Work and Pensions. View press release (released 1100 hours, 15th December 2005) Summary This study uses a stylised simulation model to consider potential...

The design of welfare benefits is a tricky business. In this respect, James Meade placed particular emphasis on the importance of avoiding excessive distortions to the price of labour. Nevertheless, Meade noted that means testing in the delivery of welfare benefits is likely to be desirable in...