Economics | Infrastructure | Reforming rail: Changing industry, changing regulation

Office of Rail Regulation Chief Executive Richard Price today outlined some of the key challenges emerging from Sir Roy McNulty's rail value for money review and how these are being reflected in priorities for the rail regulator.

Speaking at a rail industry event Richard Price identified the following challenges:
- the need for greater transparency on funding flows and costs across the sector.
- assuring delivery of current performance commitments and safety standards during a period of industry change.
- successful delivery of the 2013 periodic review and ensuring that this provides effective incentives across the sector.
- ensuring that industry reform, including Network Rail's devolution and changes to rail franchises, delivers real and lasting benefits to rail users and taxpayers.

www.larpnet.com/economics/infrastructure

Economics | Environment | The value in environmental valuation

The UK has been at the forefront in using new techniques to shape policy decisions which affect the environment. On the publication of the UK's Natural Ecosystem Assessment, Mallika Ishwaran, Jonathan Portes and Richard Price make the case for valuing the environment as part of a better approach to informing policy decisions for environmental protection, linking science and economics, and reflecting the pervasive role the environment has to play in economic and social activity.

The value in environmental valuation

www.larpnet.com/economics/environment