Unemployment has stabilised but there will be economic pain ahead

There are high levels of business optimism. Survey after survey has told us this, from reports from Deloitte on large companies to evidence from the Federation of Small Businesses. Consumer savings are at an all-time high. People are itching to get out and spend the money they have been forced to accumulate. All in all, […]

Northwick Park’s mixed-use scheme in Brent secures planning approval

The Network Homes scheme (designed by architects PRP), which is located by Northwick Park Hospital, was recently granted outline planning permission by Brent Borough Council. The major scheme, which will provide flexible commercial and leisure floorspace that includes co-working spaces, a convenience store, food & beverage outlets and fitness centres, will also deliver approximately 1,600 […]

We’re Hiring! We have a vacancy for an Economics Consultant

Volterra Partners is a niche economic consultancy who provide creative, industry leading analysis to our clients. Our primary areas of business are the economic impacts of Development & Transport schemes. We are proud to be one of London’s most respected small Economic Consultancies. With recent projects in New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and Canada, our reputation […]

Keir Starmer still has time to shine as Labour leader

Since last summer, Starmers have been the stock to short.   In June, the Leader of the Opposition enjoyed a net approval rating of plus 31 per cent. The latest polls show this has fallen into negative territory.  But as with all stocks, past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. In terms of […]

Palmerston Court Development in Battersea given the green light

Urbanest’s Battersea scheme (designed by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris) was recently granted final approval from Wandsworth Borough Council. The core elements of the mixed-use scheme include the creation of 868 student accommodation units, 6,125 sq m of commercial offices, a 1,758 sq m Enterprise Business Unit, 70 sq m of retail and café space, […]

Government scientists must be transparent about flawed Covid models

The strength of the economic recovery as Britain emerges from lockdown is a hotly contested subject among economists. Some believe there will be a massive surge in demand as consumers celebrate their freedom, others argue it will take time to claw back confidence.  Economic forecasts are subject to the same faults as any projections, as […]

The curious case of Boris Johnson’s popularity after a year of lockdowns

In 1993, economics Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman published a paper with the enigmatic title “When More Pain Is Preferred to Less”. He and his colleagues conducted two experiments with the same group of people.  In the first, the participants had to hold their hand in cold water for a specified time.   They had to keep […]

London Councils – Volterra produces unemployment forecasts for the London labour market

Volterra was recently commissioned by London Councils to undertake a detailed piece of research on unemployed London residents and their future employment prospects. Essentially, the research establishes the unemployment picture across London historically, before analysing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on unemployment in London. Several forecasting scenarios have also been laid out […]