GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC SERVICE

Making economists betterMaking better use of economics

GES

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The GES and what it does

Description of the GES on the internet at http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/networks/ges

• Biggest recruiter of economists in the UK (100ish graduates taken on a year)• Economists analyse evidence to inform policy• Teams of Assistant Economists (£25-29k) supervised by Economic Advisers (£45-55k). • AEs with 4+ yrs experience (ideally plus MSc) can apply for posts as Economic Advisers.

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The summer placements

• Generally 6-12 weeks• Conditions vary among departments

• Pay around £330-350/wk (£4000+ for 12 wk)• 37.5 hrs/wk (flexible hours)

• Work with Assistant Economists on projects, supervised by an Economic Adviser.

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Why the GES scheme is a good one…

• Biggest internship scheme for economists • Meritocratic

• don’t filter on ‘target universities’• don’t offer places to people through ‘networking’

• Exposure to high level work• do the same jobs as an Assistant Economist• staffing cuts and workload mean you get to work on important

projects

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My projects at DfE

• Project on Performance Frameworks• 3000 word report, slide pack and presentation

• Weekly/monthly macroeconomic brief• Economic summary of key UK indicators

• Public sector reform• Departmental structure and methods of delivery

• Short notice ‘rapid response’ projects:– Evidence on links between ‘cognitive skills’ and economic growth– Skills for Green Economy– Summary of IFS paper on effect of recession on household disposable

income

GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC SERVICEMaking economists betterMaking better use of economicsGE

S

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Applying for the summer scheme• Application form

• Available from December, submit in January• Modules/grades so far and competencies• Reference purely to say you are on track for 2:1 and suitable

• Interviews • Sift to departments in February-March • Interviews probably in Easter holidays

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Application form questions• Competences (300 words)

• Working on own initiative• Organising/prioritising time• Producing results/determination

• Extra-curriculars (300 words) • Evidence of building productive relationships with others

• Career choice (300 words) • What attracts you to GES and why are you suitable?

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Interviews• Economic knowledge

• Micro – may well be related to the dept (‘why does the government provide…?’)

• Macro• Current issues (probably macro)

• Departmental awareness• What do you think are main issues/challenges for the department you’re

applying to?• General competencies

• Just as you would prepare for any grad scheme

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Topics to revise from syllabus

• Microeconomics 2– Externalities– Public goods/open

access common property

– Discounting & NPV

• Adv Microeconomics– Welfare economics– Market failure

• Macroeconomics 2– Output,unemployment &

inflation– Fiscal & monetary policy– Economic growth

• Adv Macroeconomics– Exchange rates

(fixed/floating)– Depressions, slumps,

liquidity traps– Inflation targeting

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Further micro preparation• Treasury Green Book

• http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/green_book_complete.pdf

• Read definitions on rationale for intervention, efficiency/equity, distributional impacts, discounting

• Economics of the Welfare State (Nicholas Barr, 2004)• Economic theory behind intervention • Good extra bits relevant to DWP, DfE, BIS and DH

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Further macro preparation• The Economist

• Follow on Twitter @TheEconomist or ‘like’ on Facebook• Read articles on Eurozone crisis, UK deficit reduction plan• Also good to read up on global imbalances

• Books for background on current UK situation• ‘Beyond the Crash’ (Gordon Brown)• ‘Back from the Brink’ (Alastair Darling)

• Online blogs, useful Twitter accounts• See list in handout

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UK economic indicators• HM Treasury Pocket Databank

• Superb free up to date reference point for figures online• Familiarise yourself with inflation, GDP, unemployment, trade figures, and especially public

finances • Office for National Statistics

• Learn how to find things on the site (useful for dissertation too)• Follow the economic releases through the month

• MarkitEconomics• PMIs on construction, manufacturing & services

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