Each Spring the President of the Royal Economics Society sets a subject for students to base a 1,000 to 2,500-word essay. The essay topics for 2016 were:
1. “Allowing more immigration of refugees would be good both for refugees and for the economies they come to.” Discuss.
2. “Low interest rates penalise the thrifty, so the sooner the Bank of England raises interest rates the better.” Discuss.
3. Should the government compensate households and businesses that get flooded out?
4. Further support is needed for first-time buyers in order to tackle the present unaffordability of housing. Do you agree?
5. Does rising inequality warrant the imposition of higher income and inheritance taxes on the rich?
6. Should internet companies like Uber and Airbnb be regulated?
From a final shortlist of 19 essays- from an original 1,700- 3 winners were chosen. Top prize went to Sherwood Lam of The King’s School, Canterbury, who received the glass trophy and a prize of £1,000. Joint second place was awarded to George Keech of Bedford Modern School and Chung Yi See of Raffles Institution, Singapore, each of whom received £500. Congratulations guys!