Liam Halligan: Economist, Journalist, and Voice of British Business Insight

Who is Liam Halligan?

Liam Halligan is a distinguished British economist, journalist, author, and broadcaster whose career spans over three decades across print, television, and digital media. Known for his analytical depth and clear communication style, Halligan has become one of the most respected voices in UK economic commentary.

Born on 29 April 1969 in London, Halligan earned his reputation through award-winning journalism that combines rigorous economic analysis with accessible storytelling. He has consistently brought clarity to complex policy debates — from housing shortages and fiscal policy to Brexit and global trade.

Liam Halligan’s Early Life and Education

Liam Halligan grew up in London and attended John Lyon School, Harrow-on-the-Hill, on a scholarship. His academic journey was marked by excellence: he achieved AAA grades at A-Level, earning distinctions in both Economics and English S-levels.

He went on to graduate with First-Class Honours in Economics from the University of Warwick, followed by an MPhil in Economics and Econometrics from St Antony’s College, University of Oxford. During his Oxford years, he was active in multiple societies — serving as Treasurer of the Oxford University Africa Society and rowing for the OUBC Isis crew. His training at the London School of Economics later refined his analytical grounding, especially in econometrics and applied policy work.

Early Career in Economics and Policy

Halligan’s professional foundation was built on serious economic research. He began his career as a researcher at the Social Market Foundation, collaborating with prominent economists such as Lord Robert Skidelsky and Frank Field MP.

He then joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC as a summer intern, where he co-authored work on social safety nets in transition economies. This was followed by a period at the London School of Economics, where he co-founded Russian Economic Trends — the first independent macroeconomic data source in post-Soviet Russia — under Professor Richard Layard’s supervision.

His expertise in transitional economies soon led him to The Economist and The Moscow Times, where he covered post-Soviet economic reforms and elections, offering early insights into the challenges of privatisation and market stabilisation.

Liam Halligan’s Rise in Journalism

From The Economist to Channel 4 News

After returning to the UK, Halligan became Political Correspondent at the Financial Times, reporting from Westminster on economic reform, media regulation, and political finance. His journalistic skill and understanding of economics led to his appointment as Economics Correspondent for Channel 4 News (ITN) in 1998, a role he held for nearly eight years.

At Channel 4, Halligan combined storytelling and data-driven analysis, creating award-winning documentaries for Dispatches. His films examined pensions, public finance initiatives, and corporate scandals — several prompting Parliamentary enquiries and policy reviews.

For this groundbreaking work, he received numerous honours including:

Wincott Business Broadcaster of the Year (1999)
Workworld Programme of the Year (2002, 2004)
British Press Award (2007)
Wincott Business Broadcast of the Year (2018) for his Carillion investigation.

The Sunday Telegraph and Planet Normal

Since 2003, Liam Halligan has written his celebrated weekly Economics Agenda column for The Sunday Telegraph, focusing on UK and global economic trends. His work blends policy analysis with political insight, explaining issues such as inflation, housing, and fiscal stability to general audiences without losing academic rigour.

In addition, he co-created and co-hosts Planet Normal, a weekly podcast published by The Telegraph, alongside journalist Allison Pearson. The show regularly ranks among the Apple iTunes Top 10 News Podcasts, discussing politics, society, and current affairs with frank, humorous, and evidence-based dialogue.

GB News and “On The Money”

When GB News launched in June 2021, Halligan joined as Economics and Business Editor and presenter of his own programme, “On The Money.”

The show focused on the intersection of business, politics, and ordinary life — highlighting issues such as inflation, taxation, investment, and employment in plain, actionable language. He became one of the network’s most recognisable figures, offering economic interpretation during turbulent years marked by Brexit fallout, pandemic recovery, and cost-of-living debates.

Why Did Liam Halligan Leave GB News?

In June 2024, after three successful years, Halligan stepped down from GB News. According to reports and his own public commentary, the decision reflected his wish to focus on writing, academic analysis, and independent broadcasting projects. He continues to appear across UK media while dedicating more time to his long-form economic research and publications.

Other Media and Editorial Work

Liam Halligan remains a prolific contributor across global outlets including The Spectator, The Sun, The Wall Street Journal, The New Statesman, The Irish Independent, and The Irish Times.

He is also Editor-at-Large at bne IntelliNews, covering over 30 emerging markets across Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. His expertise in these regions stems from decades of fieldwork and policy engagement.

As a regular voice on radio and television, he appears on the BBC, Sky News, LBC, CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, and Talk Radio, providing insight on global markets, macroeconomic policy, and political risk.

Books by Liam Halligan

Halligan is also a successful author, combining scholarship and journalistic clarity in his works:

📘 “Clean Brexit” (2017) – Co-authored with Gerard Lyons, it laid out an economically strategic case for a practical, opportunity-driven Brexit.
📗 “Home Truths: The UK’s Chronic Housing Shortage” (2019) – A widely-praised book analysing why Britain struggles to build enough homes and how policy must evolve to fix it.

His writing often challenges orthodox thinking, arguing for long-term, evidence-led reforms rather than short-term political manoeuvres.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Liam Halligan has received numerous prestigious awards, including:

British Press Award – Business/Finance Columnist of the Year (2007)
Wincott Business Programme of the Year (multiple times)
Workworld Programme of the Year
Business Broadcast Journalist of the Year (2005, 2006)
ESRC Competition Award for postgraduate economics at Oxford

These accolades highlight his unique position bridging the gap between academic economics and mainstream journalism.

Personal Life

Liam Halligan is known to be married and has three children. Although private about family matters, he is recognised for his community engagement and charitable efforts, including school governorships and fundraising for health-sector charities.

He divides his time between London and the Greater Cambridge Area, often performing with his rock band “Hooligans Band UK.”

On Twitter (X), he maintains an active presence under @LiamHalligan, where he shares commentary on economics, politics, and culture with his 66,000+ followers.

Liam Halligan’s Legacy and Influence

Liam Halligan stands out as a rare combination of economist and communicator. His work demonstrates that economic literacy is not just for policymakers — it’s for everyone affected by daily shifts in inflation, taxation, and productivity.

Through his columns, broadcasts, and books, he has inspired a generation of readers to look beyond headlines and understand the structures that shape prosperity and inequality.

Whether analysing the post-Brexit economy, housing crises, or fiscal trends, Halligan’s enduring contribution lies in turning economics into a story of human decisions and societal outcomes.

FAQs

1. How old is Liam Halligan?

Liam Halligan was born on 29 April 1969, making him 56 years old in 2025.

2. Is Liam Halligan married?

Yes, Liam Halligan is married and has three children, though he keeps his family life private.

3. Why did Liam Halligan leave GB News?

He left GB News in June 2024 to focus on his writing, research, and independent media projects after three successful years as the channel’s Economics and Business Editor.

4. What is Liam Halligan known for?

He’s best known as an economist, journalist, and broadcaster — the long-time author of The Sunday Telegraph’s “Economics Agenda” column and co-host of The Telegraph’s Planet Normal podcast.