Comparative Properties of Models of the UK Economy

Abstract

This article describes the current versions of six major macroeconometric models, and analyses their overall properties as revealed in standard simulation experiments. Particular attention is given to a policy issue of long-standing importance, namely the control of the size of the government budget deficit. Analysis of the impact on the government budget deficit of a range of policy instruments under a number of deficit-funding regimes shows that there is considerable disagreement between the models on the size and time-profile of these effects. Modelling of the exchange rate remains a key issue in assessing differences in model behaviour.