Ben Chu
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Author of "Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails", published May 2025
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Articles by Ben Chu
Three reasons why UK electricity prices are so high
While the UK government has announced it will cut VAT on domestic electricity this October from 5% to zero in an attempt to help with the cost of living, British households are still paying more for power than many other European nations. Comparing UK prices with the EU shows that medium-use households here paid the fourth-highest electricity prices in the second half of last year including taxes and levies, although the government has taken steps to reduce bills since then.
Five big challenges facing Andy Burnham - and how he might tackle them
When Andy Burnham enters No 10 Downing Street, he will inherit some formidable and complex problems that successive prime ministers and governments have attempted to address - mostly without success. BBC Verify has looked at five big policy challenges Burnham will face and the approaches he might take to address them.
Can Andy Burnham solve the UK's housing crisis?
Millions of people are facing unaffordable rents, long waits for social housing, or are priced out of the market when they are ready to buy. The average house price in England was £300,000 last year - almost eight times average earnings. The Labour government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in England over the course of this Parliament - but it is already falling behind on this target.
How a rise in ADHD benefits claims is adding to Andy Burnham's welfare challenge
Andy Burnham, who is expected to become prime minister in a matter of weeks, has said he wants to get the UK's benefits bill down by encouraging more people into work. The total bill for working age sickness and disability benefits has been increasing rapidly since 2020. It currently stands at £58bn and has been projected to rise to £78bn by 2030, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
Has Starmer left a £5bn defence funding hole for Burnham?
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) increases military spending by £15bn over the next four years and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described this as "a historic shift", although critics say that this new money is still insufficient to keep the country safe. Attention has turned now to how the extra spending in the DIP will be funded, with the Treasury revealing that the savings identified from other departments do not cover the full planned rise for defence.
Will Starmer's plan for defence help UK hit Nato's spending target?
Ben Chu - Policy and analysis correspondent; Anthony Reuben; Tom Edgington - BBC Verify Tue, 30 June 2026 at 8:21 pm UTC 5 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The government has published the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the additional spending represents a "huge historic shift for our nation".
How much more is being spent on defence and will the UK hit Nato's targets?
The government has published the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the additional spending represents a "huge historic shift for our nation". BBC Verify has been looking at how much extra the government is committing to spend on defence in the coming years - and whether it puts the UK on track to hit its promised commitments. How much does the UK currently spend on defence?
Will Andy Burnham's devolution plan raise economic growth?
; ; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Will Andy Burnham's devolution plan raise economic growth?
Andy Burnham promised the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen" as part of his plans for the UK if he becomes the next prime minister. In his first major policy speech, Burnham said on Monday he would seek to take power away from Whitehall and devolve it to all parts of the UK. This would include Greater Manchester and other city regions in England.
Sir Keir Starmer's premiership in six charts
Ben Chu - Policy & Analysis Correspondent, BBC Verify Mon, June 22, 2026 at 1:28 PM UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. After losing the confidence of his MPs and key members of his Cabinet, Sir Keir Starmer appeared outside Downing Street on Monday to announce his resignation as prime minister. BBC Verify looks at the record of his time in government in key areas from immigration to energy bills since he took office in July 2024.
Weapons, money and ships: How is this Iran deal different from others?
Ben Chu - Policy and analysis correspondent, BBC Verify Thu, June 18, 2026 at 2:19 PM UTC 6 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. President Donald Trump has formally signed a deal with Iran to end the conflict that began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched air strikes against Tehran and across the country.
Weapons, money and ships: How is this Iran deal different from others?
Now The agreement accomplishes none of Israel’s stated war aims and arguably leaves the country in worse shape on each of them. Israel awoke to a frightening new reality on Thursday as it absorbed, with disbelief and largely in silence, the terms of President Trump’s preliminary agreement to end the war …
What's happened to UK defence spending?
In his resignation letter former Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK's defence investment plan (DIP) "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time". The plan - which has yet to be published - will explain how new equipment and defence infrastructure will be funded over the coming decade and follows the wide-ranging Strategic Defence Review published on 2 June 2025.
How is Keir Starmer getting on with his pledges to deliver change?
[BBC] Keir Starmer has said he will prove his doubters wrong in a speech designed to head off a leadership challenge following his party's heavy election losses. The prime minister said he took "responsibility for the change we promised for a stronger and fairer Britain". In December 2024, he set out a number of "measurable milestones" which included targets on building houses, hospital waiting times and living standards. So how is his government getting on with meeting them?
How is Keir Starmer getting on with his pledges to deliver change?
Keir Starmer has said he will prove his doubters wrong in a speech designed to head off a leadership challenge following his party's heavy election losses. The prime minister said he took "responsibility for the change we promised for a stronger and fairer Britain". In December 2024, he set out a number of "measurable milestones" which included targets on building houses, hospital waiting times and living standards. So how is his government getting on with meeting them?
Starmer faces vote over claims he misled MPs about Mandelson - here's what he said
[Reuters/BBC] MPs are to vote on Tuesday over whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer should be investigated in Parliament for allegedly misleading the House of Commons. It relates to several comments he made about the process of appointing Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US in December 2024. Mandelson was sacked the following September over his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
How big is the UK military?
[Getty Images] Lord Robertson, who led the government's recent Strategic Defence Review (SDR), is accusing it of putting the UK's security "in peril" and being unwilling to make the necessary investment. The former Labour defence secretary and Nato secretary general is warning: "We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget." BBC Verify has been looking at the current size of the UK military. What has happened to the size of the armed forces?
Siết eo biển Hormuz: Không chỉ dầu, hàng loạt hàng thiết yếu cũng lao đao
Nguồn hình ảnh, Getty Images Tác giả, Ben Chu Vai trò, BBC Verify 4 phút trước Thời gian đọc: 7 phút Việc gián đoạn nguồn cung dầu khí qua eo biển Hormuz do cuộc chiến giữa Mỹ và Israel với Iran đã đẩy giá năng lượng toàn cầu tăng mạnh. Giá xăng đã tăng và hóa đơn sưởi ấm cho các hộ gia đình tại Anh gần như chắc chắn cũng sẽ tăng theo. Nhưng không chỉ nhiên liệu bị ảnh hưởng bởi cuộc xung đột.
Além do petróleo: os outros produtos de exportação afetados pelo fechamento do estreito de Ormuz pelo Irã
A interrupção do fornecimento de petróleo e gás pelo Estreito de Ormuz, causada pela guerra entre Estados Unidos, Israel e Irã, elevou drasticamente os preços globais de energia. O preço da gasolina já subiu e as contas de aquecimento doméstico no Reino Unido, por exemplo, estão no mesmo caminho. Mas não é apenas o combustível que foi afetado pelo conflito. Uma série de outros produtos essenciais, como químicos e gases, normalmente entram nas cadeias globais de abastecimento via Estreito de Ormuz.
Além do petróleo: os outros produtos de exportação afetados pelo fechamento do estreito de Ormuz pelo Irã
O preço da gasolina já subiu e as contas de aquecimento doméstico no Reino Unido, por exemplo, estão no mesmo caminho A interrupção do fornecimento de petróleo e gás pelo Estreito de Ormuz, causada pela guerra entre Estados Unidos, Israel e Irã, elevou drasticamente os preços globais de energia. O preço da gasolina já subiu e as contas de aquecimento doméstico no Reino Unido, por exemplo, estão no mesmo caminho. Mas não é apenas o combustível que foi afetado pelo conflito.
Além do petróleo: os outros produtos de exportação afetados pelo fechamento do estreito de Ormuz pelo Irã
Crédito, Getty Images Legenda da foto, O preço da gasolina já subiu e as contas de aquecimento doméstico no Reino Unido, por exemplo, estão no mesmo caminho Article Information Author, Ben Chu Role, BBC Verify Há 6 minutos Tempo de leitura: 5 min A interrupção do fornecimento de petróleo e gás pelo Estreito de Ormuz, causada pela guerra entre Estados Unidos, Israel e Irã, elevou drasticamente os preços globais de energia.
Achana na mafuta: Zijue bidhaa nyingine zinazoathirika kwa kufungwa Mlango wa Bahari wa Hormuz
Usomaji maandishi tu kupunguza gharama za data Chanzo cha picha, Getty Images Maelezo kuhusu taarifa Author, Ben Chu Nafasi, BBC Dakika 6 zilizopita Muda wa kusoma: Dakika 5 Kusitishwa kwa usambazaji wa mafuta na gesi kupitia Mlango-Bahari wa Hormuz kutokana na vita kati ya Marekani na Israel na Iran kumeongeza bei za nishati duniani kwa kiasi kikubwa. Petroli tayari imepanda na bili za mafuta, gesi na umeme ndani ya Uingereza zinakaribia kuongezeka.
Beyond oil: The crucial exports blocked by Hormuz closure
The interruption of oil and gas supplied through the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel war with Iran has dramatically pushed up global energy prices. Petrol has gone up already and UK domestic heating bills are almost certain to follow. But it's not just fuel that's been impacted by the conflict. A host of other vitally important chemicals, gases and other products normally enter international supply chains via the Hormuz Strait.
Beyond oil: The crucial exports blocked by Hormuz closure
18 hours ago The war in the Middle East ramped up on Thursday as Israel launched a wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in the central city of Isfahan, and said it killed the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy. Iran hit back, firing two rounds of missiles at central Israel causing …
How the Hormuz closure could affect food, medicines and smartphones
5 hours ago London — The Iran war has handed Russia’s beleaguered economy a much-needed lifeline. High oil prices are boosting the Kremlin’s coffers, helping plug a hole in its federal budget and sustain the war effort in Ukraine. But beyond oil, a global scramble for natural gas and fertilizer supplies — also …
Exile economics - what happens when globalisation fails
Join us for this conversation between journalist and author Ben Chu and LSE's Richard Davies about Ben's new book Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails. Join us for this conversation between journalist and author Ben Chu and LSE's Richard Davies about Ben's new book Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails.
Synergistic Surface-Interface Engineering within Self-Assembled Carbon Nanofiber Film for Efficient and Robust Phase-Change Cooling
Cite Jump to ExpandCollapse Surfaces, Interfaces, and ApplicationsJanuary 8, 2026 Synergistic Surface-Interface Engineering within Self-Assembled Carbon Nanofiber Film for Efficient and Robust Phase-Change Cooling Click to copy article linkArticle link copied! Ben Chu Ben Chu State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China Yuan Fu Yuan Fu State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites,...
Synergistic Surface-Interface Engineering within Self-Assembled Carbon Nanofiber Film for Efficient and Robust Phase-Change Cooling
Surfaces, Interfaces, and ApplicationsJanuary 8, 2026 Ben Chu State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China Yuan Fu State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China Junze Zheng State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao...
How is Keir Starmer getting on with his pledges to deliver change?
Ben Chu and Anthony Reuben - BBC Verify Mon, December 15, 2025 at 5:31 PM UTC 5 min read In December 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined his government's "plan for change" and set targets in key areas, including house building, hospital waiting lists and living standards. He called them "measurable milestones" that would "track our progress and allow the British people to hold us to account". BBC Verify looks at how the government is getting on with these pledges one year on.
Announcing Grattan Institute’s 2025 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister
Each year, Grattan Institute selects its best books of the past 12 months – recommended reading for the Prime Minister, and indeed all Australians, over the summer holidays. This year’s list is: Exile Economics: What happens if globalisation fails,by Ben Chu Clearing the Air: A hopeful guide to solving climate change, by Hannah Ritchie Patriarchy Inc.: What we get wrong about gender equality and why men still win at work, by Cordelia Fine Is a River Alive?
Who are the winners and losers from Rachel Reeves' Budget?
[Getty Images] Rachel Reeves has raised taxes again in her latest Budget. Though she conceded that "ordinary people" will contribute more in tax in the coming years, the chancellor has also argued it will require those with the "broadest shoulders" to pay more.
Could the Budget help turn Generation Z into generation debt?
[Getty Images] Chancellor Rachel Reeves' upcoming Budget is expected to justify tax increases as a vital measure to keep the UK's national debt under control. Some have argued keeping the national debt down protects the financial interests of younger people. That's because if the country's debt went up drastically, it is younger people who would have to foot the bill to pay for the interest on it. And it would be taken directly from their payslips through higher taxes.
Why does lower productivity mean tax rises are more likely?
[Getty Images] Chancellor Rachel Reeves is contemplating tax rises in her Budget on 26 November. And she has said one of the key reasons is that the government's official forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), is going to lower its UK productivity growth forecast for the coming years. So why would lower UK productivity forecasts lead to tax rises?
Exile Economics by Ben Chu
Receive 25% off the RRP of this title when you enter the code OCTOBER25 during checkout between 14th-17th October. More titles available, visit our offer page from the home screen THE MUST-READ GUIDE TO THE TRADE WAR 'A smart, vivid and humane account of the way the world really works' TIM HARFORD 'This is the book to read if you want to understand what might be about to hit the world economy' EVAN DAVIS The dangerous race for self-sufficiency has begun. Be warned.
Do Reform's economic plans add up?
As conference season begins for the UK's political parties, Reform UK will be seeking to use its gathering in Birmingham to maintain the momentum it has gathered since the general election. But with Nigel Farage claiming that he is ready to be the country's next prime minister, Reform's economic plans are coming under greater scrutiny. BBC Verify has examined what we know - and don't know - about the party's aspirations when it comes to taxation, spending and borrowing.
How much cash is the US raising from tariffs?
Donald Trump has delivered a profound shock to the global trading system since returning to the White House. On 7 August, his sweeping new tariffs - taxes on imports - on more than 90 countries came into effect. They range from 10% on the UK to 41% on Syria and India is facing a 50% tariff rate. They take America's average effective tariff on the outside world to its highest level in almost a century.
How Trump's tariffs are already impacting Americans
Donald Trump has delivered a profound shock to the global trading system since returning to the White House. The US president announced on 2 April, so-called Liberation Day, a slew of swingeing so-called "reciprocal" tariffs, or import taxes, hitting dozens of countries around the world. Many of these have been paused. And since then, Trump has also announced agreements with several partners - including the UK, Vietnam, Japan, and the European Union - which reduce some tariff levels.
How Trump's tariffs are already impacting Americans
While the Fed’s regional branch heads sometimes dissent from monetary policy moves, it’s much more unusual for one of the seven board members to do so, let alone two of them — an outcome that hadn’t happened since 1993. Trump has relentlessly hounded Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates as the …
How much cash is the US raising from tariffs?
Canada and the US are working on negotiating a trade deal by August 1, with Trump threatening a 35% tariff on Canada. United States President Donald Trump has said it will be difficult to make a trade deal with Canada after it announced that it would back Palestinian statehood, following the …
The US-EU trade deal in numbers - how it compares to UK deal
Donald Trump has struck an agreement with the European Union that means the US will not impose the 30% tariffs - taxes - on EU imports that the US president had threatened. However, the EU will still face a new 15% tariff on the goods it sells into America. That is higher than the 10% tariffs the UK faces on goods exports to the US as part of an earlier agreement struck between London and Washington.
The US-EU trade deal in numbers - how it compares to UK deal
Donald Trump has struck an agreement with the European Union that means the US will not impose the 30% tariffs - export taxes - on EU imports that the US president had threatened. However, the EU will still face a new 15% tariff on the goods it sells into America. That is higher than the 10% tariffs the UK faces on goods exports to the US as part of an earlier agreement struck between London and Washington.
Exile economics – what happens when globalisation fails
LSE Player is home to the latest films and podcasts from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Here you can watch videos on cutting edge research, find the award-winning LSE IQ podcast, and listen to more than 5,000 public event recordings featuring some of the world’s leading thinkers.
Why do Channel migrants want to come to the UK?
Why do Channel migrants want to come to the UK? Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed that "new and innovative solutions" are needed to tackle small boat crossings. The UK is paying France hundreds of millions of pounds to stop the boats leaving the French coast but, so far this year, the numbers of migrants arriving in the UK this way - most of whom go on to claim asylum - have reached record levels.
Did US government cuts contribute to the Texas tragedy?
In the aftermath of the fatal Texas floods, some Democrats have warned about the "consequences" of the Trump administration's cuts to the federal government workforce, including meteorologists, with Senator Chris Murphy saying that: "Accurate weather forecasting helps avoid fatal disasters." The suggestion is that the cuts may have impeded the ability of the National Weather Service (NWS) - the government agency which provides weather forecasts in the US - to adequately predict the floods and...
What has been driving the rise in disability benefit claims?
The government has confirmed details of its scaled-back plan to reform health and disability benefits, following pressure from Labour MPs. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said changes to Pip (Personal Independence Payment) would only apply to new claimants. She also confirmed that payments to existing recipients of the health-related element of universal credit (formerly known as incapacity benefit) will no longer be frozen.
What are the government's planned welfare cuts and how much will they save?
What are the government's planned welfare cuts and how much will they save? A significant number of Labour MPs are threatening to vote against the government's working-age welfare reform plan when it comes before the House of Commons next week. The reforms are designed to reduce the overall working-age welfare bill by about £5bn a year by the end of the decade.
Isolationism isn’t new and is fuelled by deep human desires
A great wave of desire for more self-sufficiency is sweeping over the planet. Donald Trump has declared the ‘economic independence’ of the United States and seems to be trying to excise the US from the global trading system his country has so painstakingly built since the Second World War – a system that has delivered considerable economic benefits for nations across the planet.
The winter fuel payment U-turn in numbers
The government's decision to largely reverse its cuts to winter fuel payments has raised questions about its spending and savings plans - and its fiscal rules. BBC Verify has been looking at the the key numbers. What has changed on winter fuel? At the time Labour won the 2024 general election, the Department for Work and Pensions was projecting that 10.8 million pensioners in England and Wales would be eligible for winter fuel payments in 2024-25.
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