Swindon & Wiltshire News
Festival of Economics will ask how UK can kick-start stagnant economy
Bristol’s Festival of Economics will look at how the UK can kick-start its economy and create a fairer and more sustainable environment for all.
Economists and experts from around the world will be exploring the key economic questions of our time during the three-day event, with discussions taking place at Watershed and the University of Bristol’s Wills Memorial Building.
The theme of discussions on Tuesday, October 1 is Lessons from the Past.
Russell Jones will talk about his new book The Tyranny of Nostalgia: Half a Century of British Economic Decline, exploring the economic and political history of the past 50 years.
During Under-Performing: How Can We Boost Britain’s Low Productivity? a panel will discuss the UK’s sluggish economic growth since the 2007-09 financial crisis, debating causes and suggesting solutions. ]
And in How Can We Build a Sustainable Planet? a panel will explore how economic policies can drive sustainable development and create a future where the planet is protected, while Legacies of Empire: What Britain Needs To Do will explore the lasting economic impact of the empire and how historical practices continue to influence contemporary economic structures, opportunities, and disparities in the UK.
Rebuilding Britain is the theme of the talks on Wednesday, October 2. Highlights include Great Britain? How We Get Our Future Back / Growth: A Reckoning during which Daniel Susskind, of King’s College London, and former Resolution Foundation CEO and now Labour MP Torsten Bell will discuss their recently published books focused on growth.
The First 100 Days: Has the New Government Got its Priorities Right for Kick-Starting Britain? will see a panel of experts discuss the new government’s first 100 days. The event will review changes in economic and public policy, to explore how the new government’s actions set the stage for its term and how they might influence the UK’s trajectory.
Britain’s Place in the World is the theme on Thursday, October 3. Highlights include Trading Nation: How Can We Get Britain Exporting Again?, and Beyond Fair Play: What Would a Fair Society Look Like? during which experts will outline their vision for achieving a more equitable society.
And in Global Britain: What is Our Role in the World? a panel will discuss the UK’s international influence, trade strategies, and diplomatic relationships and share insights on the key geopolitical events shaping the UK’s place in the world.
The festival is run by The Economics Observatory, a new project that bridges the gap between academic research, government policy and the general public. The Festival of Economics is a Bristol Ideas legacy event.
For a full list of events and times, and to book event tickets, visit https://www.economicsobservatory.com/festival-of-economics-2024
Pictured: The Wills Memorial Building at Night, courtesy of the University of Bristol
