How the centre of government can design better growth policy

The government needs to sharpen up its strategy for raising the rate of growth, led by a stronger more economically capable No.10.

This report, in partnership with Imperial College London, sets out the underlying problems with the way Labour – like many previous governments – approaches growth policy, and how the centre can be reformed to better equip it to take tough choices on growth.

To provide for a stronger, more economically qualified No.10, capable of working on equal terms with the Treasury, the prime minister should:

• Focus his No.10 on setting direction and resolving political problems, not becoming a focal point for lobbying or policy-origination 
• Set up No.10 to avoid being a centralising, micro-managing team springing ideas and demands upon the rest of government.
• Bring in more expert advice to his top team, so that ‘the economics’ isn’t left to the Treasury, but can sit equally with the prime minister – who must lead from the very top on growth policy.