Economic Insight

A decade on from its introduction, and in the context of a push for economic growth, the government is undertaking a review of the opt-out competition collective action regime in the UK. Economic Insight has responded to the government’s call for evidence – read our response here. #Competition #Litigation #CollectiveAction

Recent years have been characterised by particularly high levels of inflation and there have been concerns that less competitive markets have been contributing to the problem.    In this context, Ian Thompson and Ellie Clutterbuck have published an article in Competition Policy International, examining recent evidence of reduced competition driving inflation as well as different approaches to assessing the fairness of prices.   👉 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eU4ntqYr   #Competition #Inflation #Fairness

We are pleased to welcome a new colleague (Diya Dixit) and a few familiar faces (Emma Chaplin, Alasdair Crookes and Natalie V.) to the Economic Insight team.   Diya has joined us after completing a master's degree in Economics at the London School of Economics.  Her final dissertation analysed the impact of firm entry, exit and survival on productivity in the UK manufacturing sector.   Emma has joined Economic Insight, having previously completed an internship with us.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.  Her final dissertation analysed the impact of the UK’s free school meal policy.  Emma has also completed internships at the United Nations and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.   Alasdair has re-joined after working as a consultant in social research, which involved conducting primary research and combining quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the impact of policies.  He's an experienced economist who has spent over 5 years advising on regulatory and competition economics.   Natalie has returned to Economic Insight after studying for a master's degree in Economics from the University of Amsterdam.  She has over 3 years of experience supporting firms on regulatory and competition matters.   We look forward to working with them.

James Harvey will be speaking about the potential rise of product liability litigation from an economics perspective at the ThoughtLeaders4 Competition | TL4C 5th Annual UK Class Actions Forum on the 15th of October.   He will join a panel discussion with Mark Sansom (from Freshfields), Jamie Maples (from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP), and Jantina Hiemstra (from Finch Dispute Resolution).   📅 Register for the event here (using the code UKCAFSPK25 for 10% off): https://lnkd.in/gNAysdMJ   #UKClassActions #TL4 #Disputes #Litigation #GroupLitigation #ClassActions ThoughtLeaders4 Disputes | TL4D, Owen Dilworth, Ben Jobson, Helen Berwick

Aastha Mantri will be speaking at the ThoughtLeaders4 Competition | TL4C Competition Law & Litigation Summer School as part of a panel discussion with Molly Herron (from WTW), and George Tucker (from RBB Economics). The panel will discuss the role competition policy could, and should, play in meeting wider policy objectives such as growth and sustainability.   📅 Register for the event here (using the code CSUMSCHSPK25 for 10% off): https://lnkd.in/eiPbTkHD   #CompetitionLaw #SummerSchool #NextGen #Litigation #TL4   ThoughtLeaders4 Competition | TL4C, Xander Edgal, Helen Berwick, Peter Miles

The Cunliffe Review set out a series of proposals for reform of the regulatory system for water. While many of the Commission’s recommendations are specific to the water industry, the review has important implications for other regulated sectors. Christopher Pickard, Associate Director at Economic Insight, looks at the lessons of the Cunliffe Review for energy network regulation in this article: https://lnkd.in/d_mrUDFs #CunliffeReview #Regulation #EconomicRegulation #Energy #Utilities

We are pleased to report that the detailed final report by the Cunliffe Commission endorses many of the principles we have long advocated in establishing an effective regulatory model for the water industry in England and Wales, including the abolishment of the totex regime. We look forward to working with the industry as it moves towards implementing the recommendations and ensuring that the new regulatory approach appropriately balances the benefits of supervision with the costs of regulatory overreach. #CunliffeReview #WaterSector #Regulation #EconomicRegulation

Yesterday, Ofgem published its RIIO-3 Draft Determinations for the Gas Distribution, Gas Transmission and Electricity Transmission sectors, detailing proposed network charges between 2026 and 2031.    We are pleased to share Economic Insight’s initial review of Ofgem’s proposals on costs, uncertainty, and finance issues, including a detailed look at its cost of capital decision: https://lnkd.in/egQwKPzC   After consulting with companies and other interested parties this summer, Ofgem will publish its final decisions by the end of 2025. #Regulation #Utilities #RIIO3 #EnergyRegulation

Following the Stellantis v Autoliv judgement, James Harvey and Ian Thompson have published an article in the ThoughtLeaders4 Competition | TL4C magazine reflecting on:   📈 Why econometric analysis is especially prone to criticism in litigation.   📄 How this relates to the Competition Appeal Tribunal's criticisms in Stellantis v Autoliv.   🔍 Where this leaves the relationship between econometric analysis and cartel litigation.   Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eud2E7bw   #CompetitionLaw #CompetitionLitigation #AntitrustLaw #Antitrust

📢 Reminder – join us on the 24th of June for our webinar on what we can learn from the four UK cartel litigation judgments regarding the use of econometric evidence: https://lnkd.in/evQrfUQu   #Competition #CompetitionLaw #Litigation #TL4