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What does the Five Presidents’ report mean for the future of the euro?
On 22 June the so called Five Presidents’ report, authored by Jean-Claude Juncker, Donald Tusk, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Mario Draghi, and Martin Schulz, was published, outlining plans for strengthening...
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Push or jump? Why the UK could be facing a ‘Brexpulsion’ rather than a ‘Brexit’
The UK’s EU referendum is likely to be heavily influenced by the extent to which David Cameron is successful in his attempt to renegotiate the country’s terms of membership. Iain Begg writes that while...
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Rumours of the euro’s likely demise are greatly exaggerated
To what extent do the problems illustrated by the Greek debt crisis threaten the future of the Eurozone? Iain Begg writes that while the prospects for Greece continue to be deeply uncertain, the wider...
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Lies, damned lies and statistics on the UK’s EU membership
How would leaving the European Union affect the UK’s economy? Iain Begg writes that with pro-EU and anti-EU campaigning groups now officially up and running ahead of the UK’s planned referendum,...
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Deepening EU economic governance: the next steps
Earlier this year, the so called ‘Five Presidents’ report’, authored by Jean-Claude Juncker, Donald Tusk, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Mario Draghi, and Martin Schulz, was published, outlining plans for...
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Britain’s risky euro-out strategy
In his letter to Donald Tusk, David Cameron stressed the importance of Eurozone and non-Eurozone members being on an equal footing. Iain Begg argues that this request is problematic. Among the issues...
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Lies, damned lies and yet more misleading statistics on Europe
Statistics on the impact of EU membership are likely to be heavily contested by both campaigns during the UK’s EU referendum. Citing recent examples from Vote Leave, the Sunday Times and the Centre for...
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Why both sides of the UK’s debate are misleading the public on EU budget...
One of the key fault lines in the UK’s debate over EU membership concerns the amount the country contributes to the EU budget. Iain Begg writes that both sides of the referendum campaign are guilty of...
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The welfare state in Europe: still worth having?
Have the negative economic consequences brought about by the financial crisis made European welfare states unaffordable? Iain Begg writes that while there is some validity to criticisms of welfare...
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The economics of Brexit: which side should we believe?
One of the key issues in the context of the UK’s EU referendum is the effect a Brexit would have on the country’s economy. Iain Begg assesses the economic claims that have been made so far in the...
View ArticleTheresa May’s timeline for Brexit: Canny tactics or Brexishambles?
Theresa May has stated that the UK will trigger Article 50 before the end of March 2017. Iain Begg writes that while her speech gave some indication of timing, there is still no concrete statement on...
View ArticleWhat happened to the ‘£350m’ Britain was to take back from the EU?
The toxic issue of how much Britain pays into the EU budget is a long way from being settled, writes Iain Begg. None of the pro-Brexit ministers in government now claims that the figure of £350m the UK...
View ArticleBritain’s got bills – but will it pay? Settling the UK’s EU budget obligations
Settling the UK’s financial obligations to the EU could cost up to €60bn. Iain Begg explains why the figure is so high, looks at whether there is much scope for negotiation and asks what would happen...
View ArticleReflecting on how to run €MU more effectively
The European Commission published a reflection paper at the end of May on deepening economic and monetary union. Iain Begg assesses the strategy for reform put forward, writing that the paper is...
View ArticleIs the UK economy starting to falter?
All of a sudden Britain has become the slowest growing of the major western economies, and there are increasing concerns about its medium-term outlook. Iain Begg writes that with both government and...
View ArticleThe gaffe that keeps on taking: How to break the deadlock over Britain’s EU...
The size of the ‘divorce bill’ the UK will pay following its exit from the EU remains one of the key sticking points in the Brexit negotiations. Iain Begg writes that despite the apparent deadlock over...
View ArticleExpect a backlash if the £50bn offer doesn’t move the Brexit negotiations on
After threatening to pay nothing to the EU, then conceding £20bn, the UK government has finally indicated it will pay a Brexit ‘divorce bill’ of £40-50bn. The initial reaction from Eurosceptics has...
View ArticleThe Brexit-sized hole in the future EU budget
The UK is a net contributor to the EU budget. Following Brexit, the loss of UK contributions will therefore likely require either a reduction in overall spending, or for the remaining member states to...
View ArticleRethinking the governance of economic and monetary union: Should rules...
Although the EU economy has returned to a period of stable growth since the Eurozone crisis, several key issues in the governance of economic and monetary union remain unresolved. Drawing on results...
View ArticleA paler shade of grey? It is hard to see how any in-between version of Brexit...
A simple metaphor captures the dilemmas around Brexit: some want white, others want black. To state the blindingly obvious, the two are mutually exclusive. In this post, Iain Begg considers the two...
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