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The future of the UK seems perpetually in peril. As Andrew Marr argues in this month’s cover story, nothing is inevitable about Scotland’s breakaway, but London’s complacence is making it more likely. Also in this issue: Jill Rutter explores how we’re coping outside the single market, Eliane Glaser has been horrified by the education jargon being foisted on her children during her time homeschooling, and Miranda France gives her verdict on the new Kazuo Ishiguro.

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Was Michael Gove right? Have we had enough of experts?

Experts are finding it harder to be heard. But is that because of how they communicate? And how solid is their much-vaunted evidence base anyway?

By Helen Jackson & Paul Ormerod  
July 14, 2017
August 2017

Enough is enough: Michael Gove suggested people have "had enough of experts" during the EU referendum campaign. Photo: JASON ALDEN/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

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Using evidence to assess the outcomes of policies is a vital part of good governance. Whether it is examining how a Budget will affect those on low incomes, or how well fishing quotas are managing stocks, no one but the most bumptious ideologue would deny it. The plastering of demonstrably dodgy statistics on…

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Helen Jackson

Helen Jackson is an economist, analyst and researcher

Paul Ormerod

Paul Ormerod is an economist who is a partner at Volterra Partners consultancy

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