SKILLS & EXPERTISE

PUBLIC POLICY

Careful economic analysis is needed if policy and regulatory decisions are to have the desired effects.  Economics can help to evaluate the costs and benefits of different policy options and to design efficient ways of allocating resources.

The application of economics, econometrics and other quantitative techniques to public policy analysis is often a vital step in the process of developing or rebutting argument. Where alternative policy options appear equally attractive, or where trade-offs are important in finalizing policy, quantitative techniques may be decisive.

Public policy analysis sometimes requires original research into the actions, decisions, expectation and intentions of relevant parties, especially consumers. To this end, it is often necessary to commission a survey from a competent survey firm. Europe Economics has substantial experience in project managing, designing and analysing such surveys. Considerable expertise is required in devising unambiguous questions that elicit the information required with the minimum of cost. The analysis of results often requires much more than conventional reporting of "topline" results, for example determining what cross-tabulations will pinpoint information about particular sub-groups, or econometric modelling to test hypotheses or eliminate the likely effects of sample bias.

Europe Economics has applied quantitative techniques in sectors as diverse as pharmaceuticals, financial services, housing, IT, gambling and contract design. The firm has experience working with or for lobby groups, public affairs advisors, consumer bodies and government departments. Some senior members of the team have themselves previously worked in industry or government.