The Political Economy of Growth and Institutional Reform

Infrastructure, housing, and skills − the UK suffers from a series of persistent policy problems to which existing institutions and processes seem unable to produce adequate long-term solutions. Failure to tackle these problems poses significant barriers to economic prosperity. 

The Institute for Government, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and the London School of Economics, has examined the political economy roots of persistent policy problems in the UK, and identified examples from other countries that could act as a guide for institutional innovation in the UK. This research builds on earlier work with the LSE Growth Commission and is sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Miguel Coelho, Fellow at the Institute for Government, co-author and coordinator of the research, presented the report’s key findings. This was followed by a panel discussion with:

• Diane Coyle, Professor of Economics at the University of Manchester, Director of Enlightenment Economics, former Vice-Chair of the BBC Trust until April 2015, and former member of the Competition Commission;
• Caroline Green, former research director of the Lyons Housing Review; and former Senior Advisor, Local Government Association;
• Sir John Armitt, author of an independent review of long term infrastructure planning, Chairman of the National Express Group and City & Guilds, Deputy Chairman of the Berkeley Group and a member of the Board of Transport for London.

The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. 

We would like to thank the Economic and Social Research Council for providing financial support for this research.