Since my last update there have been many interesting developments in the economy and in the wider news.  These events have provided me with the opportunities to discuss how they have affected those in the UK and locally, both businesses and individuals.

Throughout the time Brexit has been implemented, and formed an important of the backdrop of both the 2019 General Election and the subsequent managing of the Economy.  The picture at the top of this update is from an interview I gave to Euronews in November 2018 as part of their piece examining attitudes to Brexit in Southampton.

Just before the General Election in December 2019, I discussed the local issues present in the marginal seat of Southampton Itchen for a piece broadcast on The World At One for BBC Radio 4 (see photo below).  Conducting the interview at Mettricks coffee shop in Woolston gave me the opportunity to talk him through how that area of Southampton has developed over the last few years.

Shortly after the General Election, any plans the Government had to implement their manifesto were severely disrupted by the COVID pandemic, an event that created a lot of worry for individuals and business leaders.  The photo below is from an interview I gave for BBC South Television in March 2020 about some of the financial support that the Chancellor Rishi Sunak had pledged.

Throughout this time, the Chancellors have continued to present their Government Budgets (Philip Hammond and Rishi Sunak, with Sajid Javid’s tenure not occurring during a budget).  I have given my analysis for BBC Radio Solent for every budget since 2016, pre-COVID this would involve a visit to their studios in Southampton (see picture below), but since then I have been able to call in via their remote system.  In March 2020 I also recorded a video for University’s own media channel.

A significant element of changes to the economy is changes to people’s behaviour – COVID has certainly changed our habits and attitudes when it comes to things such as shopping online.  Though this appears to be an acceleration of a trend that has been occurring for some time, as I discussed in an interview with ITV News Meridian about the decline of the high street retailers in January 2020.

Most recently, media attention has been on the Government’s plan to fund future social care.  This month, I wrote an article for The Conversation about the history, purpose and possible issues of National Insurance.  With economic recovery from COVID still occuring but concern over increases in cost of living as we enter this winter, the forseeable future looks to be just as eventful, and I will aim to continue to contribute my thoughts.