Alex Chapman
@alchap.bsky.social
Senior Economist at the New Economics Foundation. Cyclist and MK Dons fan. Personal account.
🔔 New study🔔 What is the relationship between air transport and economic growth in Europe? Dr Felix Pot and I break it down like never before in our new report for @neweconomics.bsky.social and T&E: /1
November 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
🔔 New study🔔 What is the relationship between air transport and economic growth in Europe? Dr Felix Pot and I break it down like never before in our new report for @neweconomics.bsky.social and T&E: /1
Reposted by Alex Chapman
Check out our senior economist @alchap.bsky.social on the Energy Revolution podcast talking airports, economic growth and the climate crisis. Full episode available here: linktr.ee/energyrevolu...
September 23, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Check out our senior economist @alchap.bsky.social on the Energy Revolution podcast talking airports, economic growth and the climate crisis. Full episode available here: linktr.ee/energyrevolu...
I did my first episode on the NEF podcast 🫣
Net zero is being sucked into the culture war because so far, green policies haven't been designed to be in the interests of most people.
NEF's @alchap.bsky.social on the latest episode of the New Economics Podcast
NEF's @alchap.bsky.social on the latest episode of the New Economics Podcast
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
I did my first episode on the NEF podcast 🫣
My dad was arrested in London yesterday for holding a placard saying "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action". He's a retired university lecturer who is involved in his local church. Prior to yesterday's demonstration his only legal infraction was a speeding ticket for doing 36 in a 30 zone.
August 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
My dad was arrested in London yesterday for holding a placard saying "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action". He's a retired university lecturer who is involved in his local church. Prior to yesterday's demonstration his only legal infraction was a speeding ticket for doing 36 in a 30 zone.
The right questions getting asked. This week in the Times, Alistair Osborne punctures the myth that a third runway at Heathrow is "crucial for business". Why? Because of the CEO's admission that the "decline in business travel appears to be permanent.../1 www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Heathrow’s investment plan punctures the third runway myth
The airport has admitted the decline in business travel is permanent, and wants to spend £10bn raising passenger numbers by only ten million
www.thetimes.com
July 16, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The right questions getting asked. This week in the Times, Alistair Osborne punctures the myth that a third runway at Heathrow is "crucial for business". Why? Because of the CEO's admission that the "decline in business travel appears to be permanent.../1 www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
This just in. Kemi thinks the actions of Palestine Action at Brize Norton might have stopped a war crime...
Not sure she fully thought this one through 😂
Not sure she fully thought this one through 😂
June 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
This just in. Kemi thinks the actions of Palestine Action at Brize Norton might have stopped a war crime...
Not sure she fully thought this one through 😂
Not sure she fully thought this one through 😂
Reposted by Alex Chapman
You've heard of frequent flyers, but we've got some new research for you on the idea of ultra- frequent flyers.
Exciting work from my colleague @alchap.bsky.social where he makes a compelling case as to why this new class of flyers is not paying it's fair share of tax and how we can fix it. 👇👇
Exciting work from my colleague @alchap.bsky.social where he makes a compelling case as to why this new class of flyers is not paying it's fair share of tax and how we can fix it. 👇👇
This government wants to expand airports up and down the country. But who will this really benefit? Ultra-frequent flyers.
@alchap.bsky.social spoke at today's Environmental Audit Committee.
@alchap.bsky.social spoke at today's Environmental Audit Committee.
June 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
You've heard of frequent flyers, but we've got some new research for you on the idea of ultra- frequent flyers.
Exciting work from my colleague @alchap.bsky.social where he makes a compelling case as to why this new class of flyers is not paying it's fair share of tax and how we can fix it. 👇👇
Exciting work from my colleague @alchap.bsky.social where he makes a compelling case as to why this new class of flyers is not paying it's fair share of tax and how we can fix it. 👇👇
Reposted by Alex Chapman
There's broad public support for net zero by 2050 & people are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis. So let's deliver net zero policies that benefit ordinary people rather than calling it into question. @alchap.bsky.social spoke to LBC News in light of Tony Blair's comments.
May 1, 2025 at 11:14 AM
There's broad public support for net zero by 2050 & people are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis. So let's deliver net zero policies that benefit ordinary people rather than calling it into question. @alchap.bsky.social spoke to LBC News in light of Tony Blair's comments.
Reposted by Alex Chapman
🚨The government has given Luton airport approval to expand.
This is despite the fact that it will do very little to boost economic growth and will be devastating for our climate goals. @alchap.bsky.social responds.
This is despite the fact that it will do very little to boost economic growth and will be devastating for our climate goals. @alchap.bsky.social responds.
April 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
🚨The government has given Luton airport approval to expand.
This is despite the fact that it will do very little to boost economic growth and will be devastating for our climate goals. @alchap.bsky.social responds.
This is despite the fact that it will do very little to boost economic growth and will be devastating for our climate goals. @alchap.bsky.social responds.
Reposted by Alex Chapman
somewhat tongue in cheek here but I saw this and was reminded immediately of @alchap.bsky.social talking about the negative impacts of air travel expansion
April 2, 2025 at 2:40 PM
somewhat tongue in cheek here but I saw this and was reminded immediately of @alchap.bsky.social talking about the negative impacts of air travel expansion
Reposted by Alex Chapman
Hi @davidtwilcock.bsky.social. I just wanted to flag that your Mail Online piece from Thursday is hugely misleading & seems to be based off a fundamental misunderstanding of the statistics
I'll explain why, then maybe you can retract the piece & issue an apology... 🧵1/6
I'll explain why, then maybe you can retract the piece & issue an apology... 🧵1/6
March 15, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Hi @davidtwilcock.bsky.social. I just wanted to flag that your Mail Online piece from Thursday is hugely misleading & seems to be based off a fundamental misunderstanding of the statistics
I'll explain why, then maybe you can retract the piece & issue an apology... 🧵1/6
I'll explain why, then maybe you can retract the piece & issue an apology... 🧵1/6
Recommended reading on the smoke and mirrors government is using to build out a justification for austerity
This, from a DWP press release yesterday (gov.uk/government/n...), is outrageous
In two short paragraphs it peddles multiple falsehoods about the current system that will be used to justify upcoming cuts & changes
Here's what MPs & journalists should be challenging... 🧵
In two short paragraphs it peddles multiple falsehoods about the current system that will be used to justify upcoming cuts & changes
Here's what MPs & journalists should be challenging... 🧵
March 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Recommended reading on the smoke and mirrors government is using to build out a justification for austerity
I wrote a thing about what really went down in the Gatwick airport expansion decision. Refusal recommended, but it might go ahead? Economic growth? Techie post, you were warned. www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-r...
What really happened at Gatwick?
Gatwick Airport is getting a second runway. Or wait, is it? Prior to the government's announcement I spent a morning doing a pre-recorded interview for BBC news on the Gatwick Airport expansion.
www.linkedin.com
March 10, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I wrote a thing about what really went down in the Gatwick airport expansion decision. Refusal recommended, but it might go ahead? Economic growth? Techie post, you were warned. www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-r...
Reposted by Alex Chapman
All the reasons why the Gatwick airport expansion is a mistake, in under 1 minute - from @alchap.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk with @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social
February 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
All the reasons why the Gatwick airport expansion is a mistake, in under 1 minute - from @alchap.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk with @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social
Had a great chat with @adamtranter.bsky.social and @lauralaker.bsky.social on the Streets Ahead podcast. All things transport, economics, growth, and yes, sorry, the 'Green Book'! Have a listen here: shows.acast.com/streets-ahea...
Growth, but at what cost? | Streets Ahead
shows.acast.com
February 19, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Had a great chat with @adamtranter.bsky.social and @lauralaker.bsky.social on the Streets Ahead podcast. All things transport, economics, growth, and yes, sorry, the 'Green Book'! Have a listen here: shows.acast.com/streets-ahea...
Reposted by Alex Chapman
Great to hear @alchap.bsky.social (surely one of the busiest ppl in transport at the moment?) on @podstreetsahead.bsky.social talking all things economics & transport. Agree with him that the Green Book doesn’t sit behind decisions like Heathrow - it is all politics.
Highly recommend a listen.
Highly recommend a listen.
Growth, but at what cost? | Streets Ahead
shows.acast.com
February 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Great to hear @alchap.bsky.social (surely one of the busiest ppl in transport at the moment?) on @podstreetsahead.bsky.social talking all things economics & transport. Agree with him that the Green Book doesn’t sit behind decisions like Heathrow - it is all politics.
Highly recommend a listen.
Highly recommend a listen.
Reposted by Alex Chapman
statistic of the day:
approving the expansion of Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick airports would wipe out ALL the benefits of the government’s 2030 "clean power" target within five years of expanded operation, according to analysis by the New Economics Foundation (NEF)
neweconomics.org/2025/01/airp....
approving the expansion of Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick airports would wipe out ALL the benefits of the government’s 2030 "clean power" target within five years of expanded operation, according to analysis by the New Economics Foundation (NEF)
neweconomics.org/2025/01/airp....
Airport expansion would wipe out carbon savings of government’s clean power plan
Claimed growth benefits of expansion don’t stack up and will create major climate damage
neweconomics.org
February 12, 2025 at 10:24 AM
statistic of the day:
approving the expansion of Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick airports would wipe out ALL the benefits of the government’s 2030 "clean power" target within five years of expanded operation, according to analysis by the New Economics Foundation (NEF)
neweconomics.org/2025/01/airp....
approving the expansion of Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick airports would wipe out ALL the benefits of the government’s 2030 "clean power" target within five years of expanded operation, according to analysis by the New Economics Foundation (NEF)
neweconomics.org/2025/01/airp....
Reposted by Alex Chapman
👀The research Rachel Reeves used to evidence the benefits of Heathrow expansion was commissioned by Heathrow itself.
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @theguardian.com about why, with our climate goals at stake, this is such a big problem
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @theguardian.com about why, with our climate goals at stake, this is such a big problem
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
February 3, 2025 at 10:59 AM
👀The research Rachel Reeves used to evidence the benefits of Heathrow expansion was commissioned by Heathrow itself.
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @theguardian.com about why, with our climate goals at stake, this is such a big problem
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @theguardian.com about why, with our climate goals at stake, this is such a big problem
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I spoke to the Observer about the shoddy economics sitting behind Reeves' Heathrow announcement... and the article only covers the half of it... thread
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reeves’s Heathrow third runway report was commissioned by London airport
The chancellor is under fire after a study cited as evidence for expanding the terminal to boost the UK’s economic growth was ordered by Heathrow itself
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I spoke to the Observer about the shoddy economics sitting behind Reeves' Heathrow announcement... and the article only covers the half of it... thread
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alex Chapman
As the Chancellor reaches for growth there's one place she won't find it - OBR forecasts.
OBR multipliers devalue public spending and keep us in a doom-loop of austerity
Our new report offers a framework that flexibly embraces the positive potential of public spending
OBR multipliers devalue public spending and keep us in a doom-loop of austerity
Our new report offers a framework that flexibly embraces the positive potential of public spending
January 31, 2025 at 10:41 AM
As the Chancellor reaches for growth there's one place she won't find it - OBR forecasts.
OBR multipliers devalue public spending and keep us in a doom-loop of austerity
Our new report offers a framework that flexibly embraces the positive potential of public spending
OBR multipliers devalue public spending and keep us in a doom-loop of austerity
Our new report offers a framework that flexibly embraces the positive potential of public spending
Reposted by Alex Chapman
The government needs to explain the economic logic behind its decision on airport expansion - because the growth case for it just doesn't add up.
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
January 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The government needs to explain the economic logic behind its decision on airport expansion - because the growth case for it just doesn't add up.
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
@alchap.bsky.social spoke to the @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
So today the Chancellor has said that airport expansion is "good for families wanting to go on cheap holidays". This is her "growth" plan. Making it cheaper to go to (e.g.) a Spanish island. How about making it cheaper to get to Blackpool, Great Yarmouth or Torquay?
January 26, 2025 at 5:18 PM
So today the Chancellor has said that airport expansion is "good for families wanting to go on cheap holidays". This is her "growth" plan. Making it cheaper to go to (e.g.) a Spanish island. How about making it cheaper to get to Blackpool, Great Yarmouth or Torquay?
"Yes, and"
...more damage from climate hazards
...more regional inequality
...a smaller domestic tourism sector
...a bigger current account deficit
...more costly traded carbon prices
...higher land and energy prices
...more noise and air quality
Etc.
...more damage from climate hazards
...more regional inequality
...a smaller domestic tourism sector
...a bigger current account deficit
...more costly traded carbon prices
...higher land and energy prices
...more noise and air quality
Etc.
January 25, 2025 at 7:38 PM
"Yes, and"
...more damage from climate hazards
...more regional inequality
...a smaller domestic tourism sector
...a bigger current account deficit
...more costly traded carbon prices
...higher land and energy prices
...more noise and air quality
Etc.
...more damage from climate hazards
...more regional inequality
...a smaller domestic tourism sector
...a bigger current account deficit
...more costly traded carbon prices
...higher land and energy prices
...more noise and air quality
Etc.
It's extraordinary that we are having this public debate about airport expansions with barely a whisper about what it means for domestic tourism. It's no coincidence the UK's overnight tourism sector is in decline, i.e. contributing to our stagnant growth. We keep making it cheaper to go overseas!
January 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
It's extraordinary that we are having this public debate about airport expansions with barely a whisper about what it means for domestic tourism. It's no coincidence the UK's overnight tourism sector is in decline, i.e. contributing to our stagnant growth. We keep making it cheaper to go overseas!
Reposted by Alex Chapman
NEW: How much wealth is too much?🤔
In partnership with @patrioticmillionaires.org we've published a new report exploring the case for an Extreme Wealth Line. We spoke to politicians, policy makers and millionaires to get their thoughts on the concept - here's some of what we found.
In partnership with @patrioticmillionaires.org we've published a new report exploring the case for an Extreme Wealth Line. We spoke to politicians, policy makers and millionaires to get their thoughts on the concept - here's some of what we found.
January 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
NEW: How much wealth is too much?🤔
In partnership with @patrioticmillionaires.org we've published a new report exploring the case for an Extreme Wealth Line. We spoke to politicians, policy makers and millionaires to get their thoughts on the concept - here's some of what we found.
In partnership with @patrioticmillionaires.org we've published a new report exploring the case for an Extreme Wealth Line. We spoke to politicians, policy makers and millionaires to get their thoughts on the concept - here's some of what we found.