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The Economic Policy Centre (EPC) have a variety of services for business across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Modelling,foresight and forecasting

Core research

The EPC provides a range of services to local and international businesses and government departments.

Details of our core research are listed below.


Model development

  • Development of a UK Macroeconomic model (UKMOD) in partnership with the Centre for Business research (CBR) Judge Business school in Cambridge University.
  • UKMOD is an econometric (or structural) model based on a Keynesian framework, it was used within the CBR UK Economy report: The Macro-Economic Impact of Brexit. (See publications)

Northern Ireland model development

  • Development of an NI forecasting model that cascades from the UKMOD. A range of key economic indicators alongside commentary is published in a quarterly basis within the Centre's outlook reports.
  • The development of a local government economic forecasting model for the 11 new council areas in Northern Ireland, which cascades from the Northern Ireland model.
  • The model includes a range of economic indicators included GVA, employment, unemployment, productivity, fiscal forecasts, house prices, and wages.

Sponsor research

The EPC has a range of sponsors we work closely with them to develop their business models.

Below is a list of some of our sponsors and the recent research we have provided for them.

Government Departments
PartnerResearch
Department for the Economy (DfE)
  • Skills
  • Competitiveness
  • Corporation tax benefits
  • National Living wage
Department of Finance (DoF)
  • Corporation tax costing
  • Derelict land tax
  • Small business rates relief
  • Air connectivity
Invest NI
  • Sub-regional economic development
Local Government
PartnerResearch
Belfast City Council
  • Local forecasting
  • Brexit considerations
  • Land use analysis
  • Economic impact studies
Derry City and Strabane District Council
  • Local forecasting
  • Economic modelling of Community Plan Ambition
  • Brexit considerations
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
  • Local forecasting
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
  • Local forecasting
Education
PartnerResearch
Ulster University
  • Ulster University medical school
  • Response to Programme for Government 2017 (PfG)
Private Sector
PartnerResearch
Belfast Harbour Commissioners
  • Economic impact studies

Multi-client

  • Economic inactivity
  • Productivity
  • Consumer spending behaviour

Teaching

The EPC is educating and developing the next generation of economic policy makers through teaching at the Ulster University Business School including:

  • Regional Economics
  • Economic Policy
  • Dissertation Supervision
  • Industrial Placements
  • Regional Economics: Understanding the Northern Ireland Economy
  • Skills for Economists

Commercial research

The EPC undertakes a range of strategic consultancy projects for public and private sector clients. The following projects are currently ongoing:

  • Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) – ongoing research relationship – Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Dashboard, UK industrial strategy 2017 response
  • National Centre for Universities and Businesses (NCUB) – smart specialisation hub
  • Newry, Mourne and Down District Council – Brexit
  • PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) – global cities and cities of opportunity