Join us at the UK in a Changing Europe economics conference, bringing together the latest thinking from UK economic and social science research on the key economic challenges for the UK and how they might be addressed. The conference launches our latest report, in which 15 leading UK economists set out their analysis and potential solutions. Drawing from academia, government, business and journalism, panels consider whether the current fiscal framework is fit for purpose, how public services could be improved, how an economic success can be made of net zero, as well as reexamining the tax and welfare system, and UK trade strategy.
To register for in-person tickets, please click on this Eventbrite link, and to sign up to watch the event online, please click here.
Agenda
9:00 Arrival
9.30 – 9:45 Welcome
Anand Menon, UKICE
9.45 – 10:30 The state of the UK economy/SWOT analysis
Sarah Hall / Jonathan Portes, UKICE
10.30 – 11:30 Past its sell-by date? Does the UK need a new macroeconomic and fiscal framework?
This panel will examine whether the current macroeconomic framework (based on inflation targeting to manage demand, and fiscal rules to ensure sustainability) and institutional set-up (HMT, BoE, OBR) remains appropriate.
Chair: Soumaya Keynes, The Financial Times
Panel:
- Carolina Alves, University College London
- Ethan Iletzki, London School of Economics
- Michael Jacobs, University of Sheffield
11.30 – 11:50 Break
11.50 – 12:50 Tax and welfare – a fairer better system?
The UK has high levels of inequality of income and, increasingly, wealth; low levels of social mobility; and, combined with very large cuts to working age benefits over the last decade, rapidly increasing levels of poverty and deprivation. What reforms to the tax and benefit system and labour markets could address this?
Chair: Alex Beer, Nuffield Foundation
Panel:
- Arun Advani, University of Warwick
- Donald Houston, University of Birmingham and UKICE
- Katie Schmuecker, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
12.50 – 1:30 Lunch
1.30 – 2:30 Making an economic success of net zero
The UK’s approach to net zero has in some respects been world-leading, but has faltered recently. How can we get back on track and maximise the opportunities?
Chair: Jill Rutter, UKICE
Panel:
- David Bailey, University of Birmingham and UKICE
- Sarah Hall, University of Cambridge and UKICE
2.30 – 3:30 Britain’s global economic and trade strategy
How do we “make Brexit work”? Or is this not feasible without major shifts of political strategy? Meanwhile, what does “Global Britain” mean and how does the UK adapt its approach to a potentially more protectionist world?
Chair: Catherine Barnard, University of Cambridge and UKICE
Panel:
- Madeleine Sumption, University of Oxford
- Thomas Sampson, London School of Economics
- Allie Renison, Department for Business and Trade
3.30 – 3:50 Break
3.50 – 4:50 How can we improve public services?
UK public services are – despite a relatively high tax burden by historic standards – visibly failing to keep up with demand, with public service productivity at best stagnant. In a constrained fiscal environment, what options are economically and politically feasible?
Chair: Anand Menon, UKICE
Panel:
- Ben Zaranko, Institute for Fiscal Studies
- Patrick Dunleavy, London School of Economics
- Sharon White, John Lewis Partnership
4.50 – 5:00 Close Anand Menon / Jonathan Portes, UKICE
