The Progressive Economy Forum was saddened to learn of the recent death of PEF Council member, economist and economic historian Robert Skidelsky.
Many obituaries of Robert have appeared in the media over the last few days, including Larry Elliott in The Guardian, the Financial Times, and the Social Market Foundation.
Robert was best known for his magisterial biography of John Maynard Keynes, the UK’s most famous economist. Keynes’s analysis of the Depression and mass unemployment in the 1930s culminated in his groundbreaking book The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, which shaped post-war economic policymaking in the UK and beyond. This, in turn, helped usher in the most successful and sustained period of economic growth the UK economy has ever seen.
Skidelsky became a world authority on Keynes and never stopped writing about him. Robert used his position in the House of Lords to argue persuasively for better economic policy right up to his death—see, for example, his last contribution on 17th March 2026—when he reminded the House of one of Keynes’s memorable lines: “Look after unemployment, and the budget will look after itself.”
While researching and writing his biography of Keynes, Robert leased Tilton House, the home rented by Keynes in the 1930s. He was able to sit at Keynes’s desk and enjoy the view that Keynes would have had from the window of his study.
His book, written with his son Edward, How Much Is Enough? , was widely acclaimed.
He was particularly opposed to the damaging policy of austerity after 2010, and wrote widely—through articles, papers and books—to set out its shortcomings (for example, Austerity vs Stimulus and Return of the Master).
Robert became involved with the newly formed Progressive Economy Forum (PEF) in 2018, when he agreed to deliver a public lecture for PEF, Keynes for Today, highlighting his book, Money and Government, at King’s College London (Bush House).
He joined the PEF Council and was a tireless member and supporter. He attended Council meetings whenever possible and made telling contributions on fiscal and monetary policy.
Robert was a brilliant lecturer, able to convey the most complex subjects with clarity and to lay out his arguments succinctly.
In September 2019 Robert produced a paper for PEF, commissioned by the Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, entitled How to Achieve Shorter Working Hours.
Robert’s fascination with Keynes remained undimmed. His last book – Keynes for Our Times – will be published next month
To the very end, Robert provided help and support to PEF. He will be greatly missed.
The PEF council sends its heartfelt condolences to Robert’s family.
PEF Council members have posted their tributes to Robert below.
Patrick Allen
Chair and Founder, The Progressive Economy Forum
Tributes
Carolina Alves
Robert taught on my Rethinking Capitalism module over the past two years. He was always so generous with his time and so happy to teach—and would always gently tell me off for getting the time slots mixed up!
His final class was this February, when he insisted on lecturing on “Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren” and, true to form, was wonderfully critical of Keynes. It was a brilliant lecture, and the students were utterly captivated.
At the end of the class, students gathered around him to talk and take photos. In fact, we could barely begin the next lecture because of the buzz and excitement outside the door.
I’m sharing one of the photos below:
This is such sad news. One can anticipate it and think about it, but we are never truly prepared.
Ha-Joon Chang
I am so saddened by Robert’s passing. As all of you have said, he was such an insightful and kind economist. The world now has a big hole.
Danny Dorling
Robert was very kind to me, and also very funny. He always looked for the humour in situations to brighten up what otherwise could have been quite depressing conversations about economic outlooks and prospects.
Stephany Griffith-Jones
What really sad news. Robert seemed so well in the last online meeting he participated in.
I found his wonderful three-volume biography of Keynes one of the most important and inspiring books on economics I have ever read. It was so special to meet Robert many years ago at a conference, and then such a privilege and a pleasure to participate so closely with him at FEPS.
Heartfelt condolences to his family.
Susan Himmelweit
Very sad news indeed. Robert had such a brilliant mind, and could cut to the chase so clearly and without fuss. And a lovely man too—a real loss.
Will Hutton
Very sad. It seems incredible: working, speaking and writing with such energy right to the end. I had no idea death was so imminent. Robert and I did a road show together for three years in the mid-1990s taking our different takes on Keynes to the then three major party conferences. Always stimulating, always courteous.
Michael Jacobs
Very sad news of Robert’s passing. As well as the imperious works on Keynes, I found his book with his son Edward, How Much Is Enough?, to be a thoughtful reflection on foundational questions of economics and policy.
Stewart Lansley
Deeply sad news—but what an impact he made. Despite his remarkable contributions across his life, he was always generous with his time, He will be sorely missed, including in the Lords where he was a constant voice of sanity.
James Meadway
How sorry I was to see the news. I first worked with Robert, back in the day, on Labour’s four-day week project, and I enjoyed our conversations then and since, at PEF. His contribution through the Keynes biography was huge, but I also really liked his first book, Politicians and the Slump, essentially about how old ideas can cling on despite severe economic crises (perhaps there is some lesson in this?). I put a short obituary and tribute at the end of Macrodose this week:
Kate Pickett
I will miss Robert’s thoughtful contributions to our Council meetings. I deeply appreciated connecting with him and Edward when they were writing How Much is Enough and thinking through what a good life might look like.”
Josh Ryan-Collins
Very sad news.
I was a big fan of his book Money and Government, a masterful weaving of history, theory and policy, as well as What’s Wrong with Economics?
Guy Standing
What sad news.
I am sure all of us in PEF will long mourn Robert.
Geoff Tily
I join you all in sadness at the sudden news about Robert.
For me, there was no major public figure more steadfast in his opposition to austerity.
I found what may be his final remarks on the subject in a House of Lords debate (17 March) on the Spring Statement—most apt, I think:
Jan Toporowski A great loss. One of the few historians who took economics seriously, and someone who could explain
