Great British Growth: how can we take the British economy forward

Great British Growth: how can we take the British economy forward

This conference sought to examine how the UK's economy can be advanced in a period of geopolitical competition, specifically in the context of the government's ambition to tackle long-term low growth. Discussions acknowledged the UK's strengths as an open economy with a globally relevant service sector and strong intellectual resources. However, participants also identified significant challenges, including degraded infrastructure, high energy costs, and low investment. Key debates centred on two main themes: how to reconcile the green transition with economic growth and whether the UK should pursue a strategy of radical openness or adopt a more closed approach. A closer relationship with either the US or the EU was considered, but each presented its own trade-offs and political difficulties. The discussion concluded by noting that while the conference provided a substantial agenda for the government, it did not fully address who growth is for or what kind of growth is needed.