Economics
The Matrix economics team delivers rigorous economic analysis and makes the results accessible to decision-makers.
We use economics to answer the following questions:
- How can I save costs without reducing the quality of services?
- What is the most efficient way to achieve a policy outcome?
- How should budgets be allocated to maximise objectives?
- What would be impact on outcomes and future costs of cutting funding today?
We combine the latest developments in economic theory and techniques with innovative thinking, knowledge of the public sector, and a focus on pragmatic, policy-oriented outcomes.
We work across sectors, including health, social care, criminal justice, policing and security, local authorities, children’s services, education, and sport and culture. Our work has tackled some of the most interesting and pressing policy questions of the day.
Research findings
- Health: 5 million healthy days of life would be gained in England by adding another 5% tax on cigarettes.
- Criminal justice: £1bn could be saved if young adult offenders were diverted from community orders to restorative justice conferencing.
- Sexual health: 40 million healthy days of life would be gained in England by introducing opportunistic screening for Chlamydia.
- Drug use: £4,000 could be saved in health care and criminal justice costs for every young person who doesn’t become a heavy cannabis user.
- Children’s services: £2.6bn is spent every year in England looking after children at-risk of abuse.
- Education: the improvement in wellbeing from taking part-time classes is equivalent to a pay rise of £5,000.
- Unemployment: the drop in wellbeing associated with long-term unemployment is equivalent to an annual pay cut of £10,000.
Here is a quote from one of our clients:
“Support from the Matrix team was crucial to demystify the complex task of quantifying the cultural value of the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive. It formed a key part of our business case (for capital investment) which was approved by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.”
Programme Manager at the British Film Institute.
