scholarly journals The continuing effects of welfare reform on food bank use in the UK: the roll-out of Universal Credit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Reeves ◽  
Rachel Loopstra
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Causality Tests ◽  
Large Scale Change ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Roll Out

In this paper we explore whether the recent rise in food bank usage in the UK has been induced by the roll-out of Universal Credit. We bring together official statistics on the introduction of Universal Credit with data on food bank usage from the UK’s largest food bank network. We test the relationship between Universal Credit and food parcel distribution using a range of causal identification strategies (such as fixed-effects model, Granger causality tests, and matching designs) and consistently find that an increase in the prevalence of Universal Credit is associated with more food parcel distribution. We also find that the relationship between Universal Credit and food parcel distribution is stronger in areas where food banks are active, suggesting food insecurity arising from Universal Credit may be hidden in places where food banks are largely unavailable. Though it is challenging to implement any large-scale change to social security, our analysis suggests systemic and persistent problems with this new system. Whilst the logic of Universal Credit is intuitively appealing, it has also proven to be unforgiving, leaving many struggling to make ends meet.

scholarly journals The Continuing Effects of Welfare Reform on Food Bank use in the UK: The Roll-out of Universal Credit

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
AARON REEVES ◽  
RACHEL LOOPSTRA
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Causality Tests ◽  
Large Scale Change ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Roll Out

Abstract In this paper we explore whether the recent rise in food bank usage in the UK has been induced by the roll-out of Universal Credit. We bring together official statistics on the introduction of Universal Credit with data on food bank usage from the UK’s largest food bank network. We test the relationship between Universal Credit and food parcel distribution using a range of causal identification strategies (such as fixed-effects model, Granger causality tests, and matching designs) and consistently find that an increase in the prevalence of Universal Credit is associated with more food parcel distribution. We also find that the relationship between Universal Credit and food parcel distribution is stronger in areas where food banks are active, suggesting food insecurity arising from Universal Credit may be hidden in places where food banks are largely unavailable. Though it is challenging to implement any large-scale change to social security, our analysis suggests systemic and persistent problems with this new system. Whilst the logic of Universal Credit is intuitively appealing, it has also proven to be unforgiving, leaving many struggling to make ends meet.

scholarly journals Governance and Financial Difficulties of Conventional Banks

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
La Ode Sumail
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lagrange Multiplier Test ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Insider Ownership ◽  
Financial Difficulties ◽  
Private Banks ◽  
Conventional Banks ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

This study examines the connection between governance, financial performance, and financial difficulties of 27 conventional private banks during the pe3riod of 2015-2018. In order to meet the accuracy of the model in the regression analysis, the Lagrange Multiplier test was previously performed so that the Fixed Effects model was chosen. The relationship of insider ownership with ROA tends to be in the shape of inversed-U and the relationship between institutional ownership and ROA is significantly positive. The relationship between ROA and financial difficulties is significantly negative. Older or established large scale banks tend to have high ROA. This happens because the greater the assets, the healthier the cash flow of the bank, so that the potential for return of asset is quite high and financial difficulties tend to be low or avoidable.

Economies of scale in European life insurance

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo Klotzki ◽  
Alexander Bohnert ◽  
Nadine Gatzert ◽  
Ulrike Vogelgesang
Keyword(s):  
Life Insurance ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Insurance Markets ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Administrative Costs ◽  
Life Insurers ◽  
Acquisition Costs ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Due to the continuing low interest rate environment as well as the increase in acquisition costs, price transparency, cost transparency and competition with banks, the cost of life insurance becomes increasingly important for customers, insurers and shareholders. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to study the development of insurers’ economies of scale in regard to administrative costs for four of the largest European life insurance markets. Design/methodology/approach The analysis on economies of scale is based on a comprehensive set of 477 life insurers in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, yearly data between 2000 and 2014, and regression calculations that are based on 4,855 observations. Findings The results show that economies of scale exist for all considered markets and for most of the considered years. However, the extent of economies of scale varies considerably across countries. Originality/value Overall, the existing academic literature on costs and corresponding economies of scale in life insurance primarily deals with analyses of total costs instead of administrative costs, a single year or a single market. This paper contributes to the existing literature by conducting an analysis of recent market dynamics and economies of scale in regard to administrative costs for the period from 2000 and 2014 for four of the largest European life insurance markets for which the respective data were available (Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) and 477 life insurers in total. This is done by means of a log-log transformation of premiums and costs and a fixed effects model based on these transformed figures for 4,855 observations. In addition, for each market, the authors analyze the development of administrative costs for a total of 477 insurers.

The relationship between migraine and infant colic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cephalalgia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy A Gelfand ◽  
Peter J Goadsby ◽  
I Elaine Allen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effects Model ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Infant Colic ◽  
The Relationship

Context Infant colic is a common and distressing disorder of early infancy. Its etiology is unknown, making treatment challenging. Several articles have suggested a link to migraine. Objective The objective of this article was to perform a systematic review and, if appropriate, a meta-analysis of the studies on the relationship between infant colic and migraine. Data sources Studies were identified by searching PubMed and ScienceDirect and by hand-searching references and conference proceedings. Study selection For the primary analysis, studies specifically designed to measure the association between colic and migraine were included. For the secondary analysis, studies that collected data on colic and migraine but were designed for another primary research question were also included. Data extraction Data were abstracted from the original studies, through communication with study authors, or both. Two authors independently abstracted data. Main outcomes and measures The main outcome measure was the association between infant colic and migraine using both a fixed-effects model and a more conservative random-effects model. Results Three studies were included in the primary analysis; the odds ratio for the association between migraine and infant colic was 6.5 (4.6–8.9, p < 0.001) for the fixed-effects model and 5.6 (3.3–9.5, p = 0.004) for the random-effects model. In a sensitivity analysis wherein the study with the largest effect size was removed, the odds ratio was 3.6 (95% CI 1.7–7.6, p = 0.001) for both the fixed-effects model and random-effects model. Conclusions In this meta-analysis, infant colic was associated with increased odds of migraine. If infant colic is a migrainous disorder, this would have important implications for treatment. The main limitation of this meta-analysis was the relatively small number of studies included.

scholarly journals Does the Credit Cycle Have an Impact on Happiness?

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinghui Li ◽  
Junhao Zhong ◽  
Mark Xu
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Credit Expansion ◽  
Transmission Channels ◽  
Credit Cycle ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The Relationship

The 2008 international financial crisis triggered a heated discussion of the relationship between public health and the economic environment. We test the relationship between the credit cycle and happiness using the fixed effects model and explore the transmission channels between them by adding the moderating effect. The results show the following empirical regularities. First, the credit cycle has a negative correlation with happiness. This means that credit growth will reduce the overall happiness score in a country/region. Second, the transmission channels between the credit cycle and happiness are different during credit expansion and recession. Life expectancy and generosity can moderate the relationship between the credit cycle and happiness only during credit expansion. GDP per capita can moderate this relationship only during credit recession. Social support, freedom, and positive affect can moderate this relationship throughout the credit cycle. Third, the total impact of the credit cycle on happiness will become positive by the changes in the moderating effects. In general, we can improve subjective well-being if one of the following five conditions holds: (1) with the adequate support from the family and society, (2) with enough freedom, (3) with social generosity, (4) with a positive and optimistic outlook, and (5) with a high level of GDP per capita.

scholarly journals The relationship between debt and a firm’s performance: the impact of institutional factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1272-1291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Forte ◽  
José Miguel Tavares
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Institutional Framework ◽  
Market Regulation ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Macroeconomic Variables ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the existing literature on the relationship between debt and firms’ performance, by focusing on the influence of the institutional framework on this relationship and on the role of macroeconomic variables in explaining performance. Design/methodology/approach The present work is based on a large sample of 48,840 manufacturing firms from nine European countries covering the 2008–2013 period and uses a fixed effects model. Findings Results show that the impact of debt on a firm’s performance depends on the measure of debt (short-term debt positively affects a firm’s performance, whereas long-term debt presents a negative relationship) and that the institutional framework is indeed affecting the relationship between debt and a firm’s performance: the positive effect of debt on a firm’s performance tends to be higher the greater the “efficiency of the legal system” and the greater the “credit market regulation.” Macroeconomic variables also play a key role in explaining performance. Originality/value Unlike most of the existing studies, which focus only on the relationship between debt and firms’ performance in a single country, the present work uses a sample of firms from nine countries with the purpose of filling a research gap and bringing new empirical evidence to this research area.

scholarly journals The Negative Effect of Smartphone Use on Academic Performance May Be Overestimated: Evidence From a 2-Year Panel Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1351-1362
Author(s):  
Andreas Bjerre-Nielsen ◽  
Asger Andersen ◽  
Kelton Minor ◽  
David Dreyer Lassen
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Student Characteristics ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Course Characteristics ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Smartphone Use ◽  
The Relationship

In this study, we monitored 470 university students’ smartphone usage continuously over 2 years to assess the relationship between in-class smartphone use and academic performance. We used a novel data set in which smartphone use and grades were recorded across multiple courses, allowing us to examine this relationship at the student level and the student-in-course level. In accordance with the existing literature, our results showed that students’ in-class smartphone use was negatively associated with their grades, even when we controlled for a broad range of observed student characteristics. However, the magnitude of the association decreased substantially in a fixed-effects model, which leveraged the panel structure of the data to control for all stable student and course characteristics, including those not observed by researchers. This suggests that the size of the effect of smartphone usage on academic performance has been overestimated in studies that controlled for only observed student characteristics.

scholarly journals THE POWER OF LOOKING AHEAD? A FIXED-EFFECTS MODEL OF FUTURE ASPIRATIONS OVER THE LIFE COURSE AND INCOME

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S6-S6
Author(s):  
Ioana Sendroiu ◽  
Laura Upenieks
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Future Aspirations ◽  
Life Trajectories ◽  
Life Course Approach ◽  
The Face ◽  
Different Shapes ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Perceived life trajectories are rooted in structural systems of advantage and disadvantage, but individuals also shape their futures through setting goals and expectations. “Future aspirations” have typically been used in life course research to refer to one’s conception of their chances of success across life domains and can serve as a resource to help individuals persevere in the face of hardship. Taking a life course approach and using three waves of data from the MIDUS study, we utilize hybrid fixed effects models to assess the relationship between future aspirations and income. We find that, net of age, health, and a host of other time-varying factors, more positive future aspirations are indeed related to higher income over time, but that this relationship takes different shapes in different contexts. In particular, in lower quality neighborhoods, higher future aspirations lead to worse economic outcomes over the life course, while in higher quality neighborhoods, higher aspirations are indeed related to higher incomes. We thus argue that aspirations are only helpful in some contexts, and are inherently contextual not just in their sources but also in their effects.

UK Fiscal Prospects

2010 ◽  
Vol 213 ◽  
pp. F66-F70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Barrell ◽  
Simon Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Budget Process ◽  
Spare Capacity ◽  
Intention To Move ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The UK is restructuring the fiscal policy framework once again, with an intention to move toward independent assessment and forecasting in the budget process. At the same time a large-scale, if delayed, fiscal consolidation is planned at a time when there is significant spare capacity in the economy. Economic growth is also projected to be below trend, at least this year and perhaps next. It is unusual to see a fiscal tightening when the output gap appears to be widening. These policy settings should be seen in the context of the most radical change in the nature of the relationship between the government and the economy for at least thirty years. This note assesses the impact of the new programme on the economy as well as setting out a projection for the medium-term public finances.

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