Recorded 24 October 2024. A new government has been in power in Westminster since July. In our Policy & Practice mini-series, Priorities for the new UK Government, we will explore key issues on which the government is—or ought to be—focusing its attention. In the first event in this miniseries, we discuss the Government's central focus: economic growth. 

- Meet the speakers- 

Emily Fry is a Senior Economist at the Resolution Foundation. Her research primarily covers productivity, trade, energy and how they intersect with living standards in the UK. Previously, she spent several years in finance and academia primarily focused on sustainability and net zero. 

Shanker Singham is an international trade expert and CEO of Competere Ltd, a company that provides law and policy advice to governments and companies, and that promotes international trade and competition policy throughout the world. He also serves as Co-Chairman of The Growth Commission and Co-Vice-Chairman of the Trade Facilitation Commission. He has advised parliamentarians and government ministers on the overall approach to UK trade policy, including the Brexit negotiations. 

Luke Raikes is a research director and Deputy General Secretary at the Fabian Society. His expertise covers a range of economic issues, including regional economies and inequalities, devolution, productivity, and industrial strategy. Prior to his current role, he led IPPR North’s research on regional economies and devolution. 

Chair: Prof. Lucy Barnes is Professor of Political Economy in the UCL Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/political-science