First up we have “whose growth is it anyway?” with @dantomlinson.bsky.social, @alfie-stirling.bsky.social, @hamidaali.bsky.social and @tomsymons.bsky.social
@dantomlinson.bsky.social kicks us off by noting that we’ve had an experiment in degrowth for 14 years, and see the effects on incomes, public services, and public discontent. Growth alone is needed to support public services and transfers, but can be made more inclusive directly…
…through policies like devolution or the Plan to Make Work Pay.
Dan’s old boss @alfie-stirling.bsky.social follows up that the OBR shows U.K. in unenviable position: forecast to have low growth, AND a non-inclusive form of growth
His solution? Put household economic security at the centre of economic policy, not (just) GDP growth. That means raising incomes, but ensuring thriving places and social networks - and resilience over time
@hamidaali.bsky.social up third, joining from @futuregovforum.bsky.social. Talks about problems of “demography and geography” in our growth model - citing employment rates for people with disabilities or from minority ethnic communities; and place being..
…”out of sight and out of mind” in Whitehall. Talks about a shift to “working in concert” across local authorities, mayors, and the U.K. government. Wants investment to bring devolved institutions up to scratch everywhere in a “new settlement”
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Dan’s old boss @alfie-stirling.bsky.social follows up that the OBR shows U.K. in unenviable position: forecast to have low growth, AND a non-inclusive form of growth