Progressive Economics in the Age of Trump
Thursday 15th May 2025 SOAS
9.30 am – 6pm
Brunei Gallery SOAS,
Thornhaugh St
Russell Square
London WC1H 0XG
PEF brings you Progressive Economics 2025, UK economic policy in the age of Trump, for politicians, policymakers, academics, journalists and activists and all who care about the economy to debate UK economic policy and the massive challenges of today. This follows the success of our conferences in 2022 and 2023.
The UK economy is in deep trouble made worse by multiple and avoidable policy mistakes over the last 45 years exacerbated by external shocks . Now the changes to international relations and trade by the Trump government threaten more peril.
The government is struggling to overcome the legacy of the coalition and conservative governments and the results of austerity , Covid and Brexit. The economy suffers from low investment and poor growth . Self imposed fiscal rules and election promises limit room for change .This conference will analyse the reasons for our current predicament and suggest policy solutions.
Panel speakers will be discussing
- How can inequality be reduced, and is this enough to counter the populist right?
- How structural are poverty and precarity, and does the Labour government have the right strategy to tackle them? In particular, is economic growth sufficient?
- How can the public sector be revived? Does military spending need to increase, and if so, what are the trade-offs involved?
- In the context of increasing security cooperation between the UK and the EU, should the UK re-align with the EU in other areas?
- Can borrowing increase to fund this? Or should taxes increase and, if so, should the tax base be shifted towards income from wealth?
- Are more radical solutions needed? In particular, are more robust policies required to dismantle rentier capitalism, financialisation, and provide security for all?
- In this context, what opportunities are there for radical policies to restore international cooperation, stability, and equality in the face of de-globalisation, climate breakdown, and the rise of protectionism?
- Lying behind these questions, what are the ethical bases of the society we would like Britain to be in the 21st century?
Sign up to a fascinating day of debate with eminent speakers who include : John McDonnell MP, Heather Stewart, Chris Gray, Peter Holmes, Angus Hanton, Duncan Weldon, Nadia Whittome MP, Jonathan Portes, Ron Smith, Guy Standing, Will Hutton, Sue Konzelmann, Danny Dorling, Kate Pickett, Robert Skidelsky, Stewart Lansley, Ann Pettifor, Ozlem Onaran, Ben Tippet.
Tickets available on Eventbrite here
We look forward to seeing you on 15th May.
Patrick Allen
Chair, The Progressive Economy Forum
www.progressiveeconomyforum.com
