There's a spring sale on if you'd like to subscribe! Or, it's 50% off if you're under 35.

observer.co.uk/subscribe

I've also written a profile of Kevin Warsh, ahead of his all-important Senate hearing this Tuesday.

observer.co.uk/news/profile...

In this weekend's Observer, I ask: why always us? How come whenever there's a global economic shock, the UK always seems to find be particularly exposed?

observer.co.uk/news/busines...

Reforming Europe Under Pressure The region must respond to energy shocks through disciplined policies that protect the vulnerable and strengthen resilience

www.imf.org/en/blogs/art...

IMF analysts also single out the UK as a European country "where inflation risks remain elevated, a restrictive stance should be maintained to prevent energy price pressures from becoming entrenched in wages and prices. This suggests limited scope for further rate cuts in 2026."

New from the IMF:

"When energy prices rise and people and businesses feel the pain, policymakers
feel pressure to act. The temptation is to simply stop prices from rising, using
price caps, universal rebates, or fuel tax cuts.

These are unwise measures."

One recurring theme in Washington this week:

There's a disconnect between market types, who are relaxed about the economic impacts of the war and pricing in a quick resolution, and geopolitical/energy analysts, who are much more worried about lasting disruption.

You're a good man. Let's catch up soon

For my first column as Observer economics editor, I've written about the folly of calling for blanket price subsidies during a global energy shortage.

It doesn't seem to be online so if you want to read in full, you'll have to go out and buy a physical paper, like in the good old days.

The paper links it to management practices and the degree of 'employer encouragement', with a silver lining for Europe (management practices can change).

I wonder if there might also be a role for language, and LLMs performing better in English..?

cepr.org/voxeu/column...

This is quite interesting. US workers lead in generative AI adoption. But there are big differences within Europe also, with the UK in second place.

(via CEPR, link below)

Thanks Marc!

Thanks Joe!

Many thanks Paul!

Good idea, thanks!

Thank you Gavin!

Thanks Hetan, that's kind

Thank you! And yes, some might say too much

Thank you!

I absolutely couldn't leave without finishing my passion project first

Amazing - I'll have you in my mind's eye!

Thank you Ben - you're far too kind. I've had the benefit of witnessing people like you up close!

Some highly questionable maths in Reform UK's Scottish election manifesto has got David rather cross

Thank you!

Thanks Chris!

Thank you! Would love a coffee at some point

Amazing, thank you!

Recently read and loved your book, by the way

Please get in touch if you fancy a coffee – or if you have tips for Rome, where I’ll be spending next week without having planned a thing.

My A-level economics teacher used to print out articles from The Observer that he thought I should read. I hope the things I write can inspire a similarly nerdy teenager. I don’t think I’ll be short of topics!