Lindsay Mackie, Andrew Simms and David Boyle argue that the UK test and trace debacle shows why capitalism - critics of which are now banned from school educational materials - isn't working The testing crisis in which we are now engulfed could easily - like the...
Rethinking Economics
Economics is changing fast, with old models proving unable to deliver a sustainable future. Here we share ideas that could lead to positive change.
How the AA was hollowed-out by Anglo American economics
The world of staycation is bound to lead to those sad scenes by motorways and country roads of the broken down, burst tire, overheating vehicle. Time to call the AA (Automobile Association) or the RAC - splendid British institutions, supposed to be there to assist. A...
Test and What? How official lack of confidence in the public sector worsened the crisis
In the sorry tale of the UK’s response to the corona virus there are many lessons. The current unfolding illumination is how test and trace is destined to fail because of the actions of this and previous governments which have rendered a sensible response to testing...
How privatisation designed-in the PPE chaos
Sometimes we are enabled to see clearly. A light shines and we have the ‘intake of breath’ moment. One such widely shared moment has been revelations about the brazen breaking by members of the government of their own public safety measures. Another such a moment,...
What are we like? Economic myth and the kindness counter-revolution
It wasn't clear at the time, but a couple of weeks ago I gave what is likely to be my last public talk for a while, reproduced below, at an event called Human Nature, organised by the Experimental Thought Co. Already it seems an age away, but even then our...
Economic prospects for 2020: New Weather and the FT survey
Each year the Financial Times newspaper investigates the UK’s upcoming economic prospects with a survey of analysts. New Weather's Andrew Simms took part. The survey’s predictions often prove highly accurate. Like last year, the uncertainty of Brexit still clouds many...
Climate Breakdown? We need to talk about the Treasury
Extinction Rebellion held a People's Assembly in Parliament to identify new priorities for each government department, this is an adapted from Andrew Simms' short speech on the challenge to the Treasury When he led the Treasury as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon...
Economics – A Crash Course
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yksC12jn_9U&feature=youtu.be Economics - A Crash Course Hear the authors David Boyle and Andrew Simms introduce their new book, Economics - A Crash Course, the first beginner's guide to the subject for the general reader written...
Interserve – the return of too big to fail?
Lindsay Mackie looks at the costs and consequences when extractive capitalism is put in charge of providing essential public services, and asks why lessons are not being learned or companies held to account? It’s like irregular buses – along they come in unwanted...
Patisserie Valerie – how finance had its cake and ate it…
I have a stake, or at least a pastry, in the story of the failed café chain Patisserie Valerie. In the early 1980's I was a wide-eyed student in Central London, having wandered in from the provinces (Essex). Soho was a short walk from the college and at its heart,...