Festival of Economics

Under-performing: How can we boost Britain’s low productivity?
2024-10-01 12:00 - 13:15 (Europe/London) | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
UK productivity has been sluggish since the 2007-09 financial crisis. Our expert panel debates the causes of the UK’s productivity stagnation and consider potential policy solutions. This session explores the extent of the challenge and to discover how boosting investment, improving education and training, exploiting technological innovation, and changes in regulation could help address the UK’s productivity puzzle.
Chaired by Sam Fleming ( Financial Times , chair), with Katy Riddington (National Composites Centre), Dariush Sokolov (Unite), Judy Stephenson (University College London) and Bart van Ark (University of Manchester and Productivity Institute). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

The Tyranny of Nostalgia: Half a Century of British Economic Decline
2024-10-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
An ‘in conversation’ with Bethan Staton ( Financial Times ) and Russell Jones as Jones introduces his book The Tyranny of Nostalgia: Half a Century of British Economic Decline . He describes and interprets the economic and political history of the past half a century, examining the challenges confronted by successive governments and their Chancellors, the policies employed for good or ill, and – running through it all – the desperate search for a panacea that could arrest the nation’s relative decline and return the country to its supposed former glories.
Buy Russell Jones’ The Tyranny of Nostalgia: Half a Century of British Economic Decline now from Bookshop.org. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Bank of England Citizens' Panel (2024)
2024-09-30 17:45 - 20:00 | City Academy, Bristol
A one-off live event that offers the opportunity to meet Bank of England staff and share views on the economy and how it is affecting you, your spending and your plans for the future. Chaired by Romesh Vaitilingam, Economics Observatory editor-in-chief. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

LIVE PODCAST RECORDING Money Clinic with Claer Barrett
2023-11-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Great Hall, Bristol Grammar School
A live recording of the Money Clinic Podcast , where Claer Barrett and guests Susannah Streeter (Hargreaves Lansdown) and Sarah O’Connor ( Financial Times ) respond to questions on inflation, interest rates, growth and taxes and the impact they have on our everyday financial lives. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

How Do We Build a Future Where Everyone Has a Home?
2023-11-16 15:30 - 16:45 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
With soaring housing costs and an enduring cost-of-living crisis, securing a home – whether buying or renting – is a significant worry for many. The government is yet to meet its housebuilding target from its 2019 manifesto and has closed its Green Homes grant scheme.
This panel will discuss questions around housing supply, affordability and energy efficiency and what some policy solutions might be for both the short and long term. Chaired by Carol Lewis ( The Times and Sunday Times ), with Ed Atkins (University of Bristol), Dame Katharine Barker (economist) and Henry Overman (London School of Economics). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

What is the Future for Generation Alpha?
2023-11-16 13:45 - 15:00 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
While every generation has its challenges, Generation Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2025) has endured the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as young children, compounded with the ever-increasing domination of technology and social networking.
Our expert panel will consider what the future might look like today’s children, addressing whether they’ll be able to afford homes or retire, whether they will have children themselves and how technology may shape their lives. Chaired by Eshe Nelson ( New York Times ), with Paul Lindley (Ella’s Kitchen), Michael McMahon (University of Oxford), Sarah O’Connor ( Financial Times ). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Talking Economics: Brunel’s Vision for 2050
2023-11-16 12:00 - 13:15 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
The ‘rest of HS2’ being cancelled has resurfaced questions about the UK’s infrastructure and public transport connectivity. Our panel will consider the country’s infrastructure needs and discuss what the great civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel might build if he was here today.
Chaired by Ed Conway (Sky News) with Chris Colvin (Queen’s University Belfast), Zoe Metcalfe (Atkins) and Claire Pearce (Salamanca Group). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

How the Battle for Minerals Will Shape Our Future with Ed Conway
2023-11-16 10:30 - 11:30 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
The battle for sand, iron, salt, oil, copper and lithium will dictate the balance of global power in the coming century. Ed Conway (Sky News) will introduce his book Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future and look at the history of human civilisation and how the fight to control these minerals will shape our future. Chaired by Anu Anand (BBC World Service). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Hargreaves Lansdown Breakfast Session
2023-11-16 08:30 - 10:00 | Hargreaves Lansdown
A breakfast session, hosted by Hargreaves Lansdown Bristol Team, focusing on financial resilience and what it means for the UK economy. Expert speakers will explore how financial resilience be embedded into workplace culture, the wider policy ramifications of financial resilience work and what this means for business. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

The Social Cost of a Failing Childcare System
2023-11-15 15:30 - 16:45 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
As the nation’s childcare needs evolve, so too do the pressures facing nurseries, playgroups, childminders and other childcare settings. Our expert panel will discuss these challenges alongside the long-term consequences for families and the labour force.
Chaired by Lucy Denyer (journalist), with Christine Farquharson (Institute for Fiscal Studies), Rosie Fogden (Centre for Progressive Policy), Tina Maltman (Childminding UK) and Jane van Zyl (Working Families). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Oligarchs: Are They Dominating Our World?
2023-11-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
Today, more than twenty oligarchs serve as heads of state or government in countries such as Russia, South Africa, Lebanon, and El Salvador. Many have a net worth in excess of $1 billion, and they all – whether directly or indirectly – impact our daily lives.
David Lingelbach (University of Baltimore) and Valentina Rodríguez Guerra (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) discuss their book The Oligarchs’ Grip: Fusing Wealth and Power with Sarah Smith (University of Bristol). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

What are the UK’s Long-Term Health and Care Needs?
2023-11-15 12:00 - 13:15 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
As our nation’s demographics change and we are home to an increasingly ageing population, how will our needs for health and social care change? Our expert panel will address the effects that inadequate provision can have on those requiring and providing care, and discuss how policy can address these.
Chaired by Ore Ogunbiyi ( The Economist ) with Patrick Jeurissen (Radboud University Medical School), Emily Kenway (author), Cathy Reay (journalist and writer) and Chris Salisbury (University of Bristol and National Institute for Health and Care Research). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Britain and the Aftermath of Empire with Kojo Koram
2023-11-15 10:30 - 11:30 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
Kojo Koram discusses his book Uncommon Wealth: Britain and the Aftermath of Empire , which uncovers the scandal of Britain’s disastrous treatment of independent countries after empire – and how those decisions continue to affect the damage being done in Britain today and to its economy. Chaired by with Ore Ogunbiyi ( The Economist ). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Tim Harford: Cautionary Tales (Live Podcast Recording, 2023)
2023-11-14 19:30 - 20:30 | St George’s Bristol
We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable life lessons, but these cautionary tales are for the education of grown-ups – and they are all true. In his hit podcast Cautionary Tales , Tim Harford brings stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, daring heists and hilarious fiascos. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

What is the Future of Food in the UK?
2023-11-14 15:30 - 16:45 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
With changing diets, new farming technologies and the increasing impacts of climate change, this is a pivotal time to be working in the food industry. Our panel of experts look ahead to the future of food and the burgeoning global food crisis.
Chaired by Anu Anand (BBC World Service), with Matthew Agarwala (Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge), Lotanna Emediegwu (Manchester Metropolitan University), Phil Haughton (Better Food) and Julia Kirby-Smith (Better Food Traders). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Talking Economics: What Next for Central Banks? with Jagjit Chadha and Huw Pill (2023)
2023-11-14 13:45 - 15:00 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
In the third installment of our series on ‘What’s Next for Central Banks?’, Jagjit Chadha (Director, National Institute of Economic and Social Research) and Huw Pill (Chief Economist, Bank of England) reflect on the last year of activity for our central banks and look ahead at what’s to come – and what challenges the UK must confront.
This will include discussion of the effects of rising interest rates, the decisions ahead for the Monetary Policy Committee and where the UK’s monetary policy might be headed over the medium and long term. Chaired by Anna Valero (London School of Economics). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Talking Economics: Food Supply and Inflation
2023-11-14 12:00 - 13:15 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
We’re all seeing the price of our weekly shop escalate beyond recognition, and hearing endless chatter about the cost-of-living crisis in the House of Commons. But why has this all happened? We have invited a panel of economists and industry experts to discuss the nuts and bolts of the international network of food supply and inflation in the wake of Brexit and shifting trade deals.
Chaired by Chris Giles ( Financial Times ), with Ha-Joon Chang (SOAS University of London), Swati Dhingra (London School of Economics and external member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee), Jean-Michel Grand (Action Against Hunger UK), and Melanie Vaxevanakis (MAZI Project). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Making Economics Easily Digestible with Ha-Joon Chang
2023-11-14 10:30 - 11:30 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
To explore economic theory, Ha-Joon Chang (SOAS University of London) uses the histories behind various food items from around the globe, how they are cooked and eaten, and what they mean to different cultures. In his book, Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World , he explains how chocolate offers insights into post-industrial knowledge economies, or how okra speaks to capitalism’s complicated relationship with freedom. Chaired by Mehreen Khan ( The Times ). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Bank of England Citizens’ Panel 2023
2023-11-13 17:45 - 20:00 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
A one-off live event that offers the opportunity to let the Bank of England know how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting you, your spending and your plans for the future. Chaired by Romesh Vaitilingam, Economics Observatory editor-in-chief. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Tim Harford: Cautionary Tales (Live Podcast Recording, 2022)
2022-11-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Great Eastern Hall, SS Great Britain

Discover Economics School's Challenge
2022-11-17 13:30 - 16:00 | Bristol Cathedral School
A special event for students (aimed at those in years 11 and 12), in which they hear from Bank of England economists, Rupa Patel and Jack Meaning (authors of Why Can’t We Just Print More Money ), take part in an economics challenge and find out more about economics degrees and navigating university and UCAS applications. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Talking Economics: What Next for Central Banks? with Jagjit Chadha and Huw Pill (2022)
2022-11-17 12:30 - 13:30 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
Jagjit Chadha (Director, National Institute of Economic and Social Research) and Huw Pill (Chief Economist, Bank of England) return to the Festival for another installment of their ‘What’s Next for Central Banks?’ discussion.
The discussion, chaired by Anna Valero (London School of Economics), will examine the role of central banks and the challenges and opportunities of the past 12 months and those on the horizon. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Britain's decisive decade
2022-11-17 10:45 - 12:00 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
The UK is on the brink of a decade of huge economic change – from Covid-19 recovery to exiting the EU and transitioning towards a Net Zero future. Authors from the Economy 2030 Inquiry discuss the economics lessons the UK could learn from other countries and the UK’s own history.
Chaired by Gavin Kelly (Resolution Foundation), with Lorenzo Codogno (London School of Economics), Sophie Hale (Resolution Foundation), Rainer Kattel (University College London) and Anna Valero (London School of Economics), all of whom have contributed to the inquiry. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Cryptocurrencies and the future of money
2022-11-16 19:30 - 20:30 | Arnolfini
From Bitcoin to Ethereum and Litecoin to Tether, there are now over 4,000 cryptocurrencies in circulation. In economic theory, money is said to have three primary functions: a medium of exchange; a store of value; and a unit of account. Our expert panel consider how and if crypto can fulfil these roles and what the continuing process of digitalisation of the world’s financial systems means for the future of money.
Chaired by Maria Farrell (writer), with Dinis Guarda (author and founder of Ztudium Group), John Turner (Queen’s University Belfast), Will Quinn (Queen’s University Belfast) and Jillian C. York (International Freedom of Expression). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Big data: What is the future of number crunching?
2022-11-16 15:30 - 16:45 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
Data collection worldwide is rising at an unprecedented rate and almost every industry depends on how information is stored, processed, and applied. Will this massive growth continue? What are the trends in the future of data analytics?
These are some of the questions debated by our panel. Chaired by James Fransham ( The Economist ), with Tiziana Alocci (University of the Arts London and Market Cafe Magazine ), Dénes Csala (Economics Observatory), Anna Powell-Smith (Centre for Public Data) and Arthur Turrell (Office for National Statistics). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Boom and Bust: A global history of financial bubbles
2022-11-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
Diane Coyle (Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge) chats to authors John Turner and Will Quinn (both Queen’s University Belfast) about their book Boom and Bust: A Global History of Financial Markets . They discuss why bubbles happen, and why some have catastrophic economic, social and political consequences whilst others have actually benefited society, as well as what we can learn from these events. Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

British Academy Lecture: Wage controversies
2022-11-16 12:30 - 13:30 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
The British Academy lecture is given by Stephen Machin (London School of Economics), who delves whether wages broken, if labour markets around the world are suffering from low wage work, wage inequality and weak real wage growth. He also addresses how the system can be transformed and how workers’ living standards be boosted with real wage growth, particularly as we head into a cost of living crisis. The lecture is followed by a Q&A with Sarah Smith (University of Bristol). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Big Tech under control: Regulating the tech giants
2022-11-16 10:45 - 12:00 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
Covid-19 accelerated the transition to a new age of digital progress, creating opportunities for the widespread and rapid adoption of both new and established platforms. Many of these businesses have been instrumental in supporting access to goods and services but have also had a negative effect, particularly on our mental health.
Our panel of experts examine how we ensure big tech accepts social responsibilities, and can be held accountable for what happens on their platforms, without limiting innovation. Chaired by Rory Cellan-Jones (author), Kate Bevan (Infosys Knowledge Institute), Harry Destecroix (Science Creates), Kimberley Long ( The Banker ) and Tommasso Valletti (Imperial College London). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Reflections on economics with Andy Haldane and Diane Coyle
2022-11-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Great Eastern Hall, SS Great Britain
A year on from leaving the Bank of England, after more than 30 years there, Andy Haldane returns to the Festival to reflect on the big economic events he witnessed as Chief Economist and member of the Monetary Policy Committee. In conversation with Diane Coyle (Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge and Festival of Economics Director). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography

Cost pressures: Generational pains
2022-11-15 15:30 - 16:45 | Cinema 1, Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, United Kingdom
A decade of cuts and freezes to social services, a dysfunctional housing market with seemingly insurmountable barriers to ownership and the current cost-of-living crisis will have a long-lasting consequences to people across all income groups and parts of the country. Our panel debates the ever-growing cost of running a family and household, against a backdrop of limited affordable housing, a social care crisis and generational inequality.
Chaired by Bethan Staton ( Financial Times ), with Oona Goldsworthy (Brunelcare), Stephen Machin (London School of Economics), Claire Ralph (Business West) and Vicky Spratt (author and journalist, i paper). Photo Credit: Bhagesh Sachania Photography
