Resolution Foundation Events Podcast

Explaining the consumption gap: Keynote speech by External MPC member Dr. Catherine L. Mann

In recent years, UK households have faced a number of economic challenges, contributing to subdued growth and increased living costs. These pressures have been particularly noticeable during the period of elevated inflation following the pandemic, and higher interest rates in response. These conditions have influenced household finances and behaviours, which affects how policymakers seek to shape the monetary policy environment.
In a keynote speech at the Resolution Foundation, External Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee Dr. Catherine L. Mann will discuss how the recent episode of above-target inflation and higher interest rates have affected households’ consumption, savings, and financial behaviour. As part of that assessment, she will also consider how above-target inflation tends to be associated with higher volatility and uncertainty, and what that means for households’ decisions.
Following Catherine’s keynote address, we will hear a response from former MPC member Michael Saunders before both panellists take part in a Q&A, chaired by President of the Resolution Foundation David Willetts.

Snakes and ladders: The shifting sands of wealth in Britain

The story of wealth across Britain has, until recently, been a straightforward one – decades of rising prices, benefiting those lucky enough to own assets. But that story has been upended in the past few years as interest rates rocketed off their historically low levels in response to the highest inflation in decades. Britain needs to look again at the size and distribution of household wealth, and people’s ability to become wealthier.
What happened to household wealth during the pandemic? What has that meant for wealth inequality? Were some families financially vulnerable even before the cost of living crisis? To what extent do people become more or less wealthy over time? And how does wealth mobility – or the lack thereof – affect people’s lifetime living standards?
The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of the key highlights from the Foundation’s Wealth Audit we will hear from leading experts on the level, distribution and mobility of wealth across Britain, and why it matters.

Saviour or stagnator?: Technology, AI and economic growth

Britain is desperate for stronger economic growth, and technological progress – notably through AI – is often touted as a route out of stagnation. After all, technological change is commonly thought to have been the main driver of economic growth throughout history. However, if that reading of technological change is far too simplistic, with progress in fact far stilted, what does that mean for our future economic prospects?
In a groundbreaking new book, economist Carl Benedikt Frey looks back over the past millennium to show how technological change has driven growth, but also stagnation. Using these lessons from history, Carl then looks ahead to the impact of AI – whether it will really deliver the stronger economic growth we all crave, or what can be done to shape that change.
The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer the questions by Carl’s new book. He will be joined by Resolution Foundation President Lord Willetts to discuss the impact of technical change on economic growth and living standards, and what policy makers can do to shape that change in a positive direction.

Call of duties: What should the Chancellor’s tax strategy be for the Budget?

The Chancellor has fired the starting gun on the run-in to one of the most challenging second Budgets in living memory. The Chancellor has already said her fiscal rules are sacrosanct, but higher gilt yields, policy u-turns and a likely growth downgrade mean she is on track to miss them without further fiscal consolidation. With spending plans agreed only last June, all roads point to more tax rises.
What should be the tax strategy for the upcoming Budget and beyond, and what might that mean for who loses out? Is there an economic case for breaking Labour’s tax manifesto commitment, and is it worth the political cost of doing so? And how should the Chancellor align her tax strategy with wider ambitions to boost growth and living standards?
The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of the key highlights from its latest research on how to deliver tax reform that doesn’t damage growth, we will hear from leading experts on the trade-offs the Chancellor is likely to face on tax in her upcoming Budget.

Stronger shock absorbers: How to build the financial resilience of low-to-middle income households

Savings are supposed to be the first line of defence against financial shocks. But in reality, millions of families across Britain don’t have enough to be more than a few pay-days away from trouble. For many low-income households in particular, the focus is less about building up savings and more avoiding the building up of debts and arrears. All of this can leave families vulnerable to one-off costs such as a car break-down or bust boiler – let alone bigger shocks such as redundancy.
How financially resilient are the 13 million low-to-middle income families that make up Unsung Britain? After the cost of living crisis and the rise of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ schemes, how many families are in problem debt? How can those on lower incomes be encouraged to save more? And how should we deal with the large rise in rent, council tax and utilities arrears?
SpeakersTim JarvisDirector for Markets at OfgemVikki BrownridgeChief Executive of StepChangeSebastian BurnsideGroup Chief Economist at NatWest GroupFelicia OdamttenEconomist at the Resolution FoundationRuth CurticeChief Executive of the Resolution Foundation
 

Hot topics, hard choices: Addressing the policy landscape for 2025-26

After a not-so-quiet summer, MPs are returning from recess to a torrent of public policy challenges. Immigration remains the public’s top concern, with the economy and the NHS not far behind. Defence has also climbed the list – with the extra spending it brings adding to already daunting public finance pressures. Decisions on these issues come with unavoidable trade-offs; at a time when the parties will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on their own performance in the polls.
What are the biggest public policy challenges facing the UK? Which of these are most important to the public? What are the options for addressing these, in the immediate and long-term? And what might the implications of potential decisions the Government make on these be?
SpeakersRob FordProfessor of Political Science at the University of Manchester (Virtual)Anita CharlesworthSenior Economic Adviser at The Health FoundationDavid BaileyProfessor of Business Economics at the Birmingham Business SchoolAnand MenonDirector of UK in a Changing EuropeRuth CurticeChief Executive of the Resolution Foundation (Chair)

Call of duties: What should the Chancellor’s tax strategy be for the Budget?

The Chancellor has fired the starting gun on the run-in to one of the most challenging second Budgets in living memory. The Chancellor has already said her fiscal rules are sacrosanct, but higher gilt yields, policy u-turns and a likely growth downgrade mean she is on track to miss them without further fiscal consolidation. With spending plans agreed only last June, all roads point to more tax rises.
What should be the tax strategy for the upcoming Budget and beyond, and what might that mean for who loses out? Is there an economic case for breaking Labour’s tax manifesto commitment, and is it worth the political cost of doing so? And how should the Chancellor align her tax strategy with wider ambitions to boost growth and living standards?
SPEAKERS
Dan Neidle
Tax lawyer, journalist and commentator
Lord David Willetts
President of the Resolution Foundation
Adam Corlett
Principal Economist at the Resolution Foundation
Ruth Curtice
Chief Executive at the Resolution Foundation
 

Saviour or stagnator? Technology, AI and economic growth

Britain is desperate for stronger economic growth, and technological progress – notably through AI – is often touted as a route out of stagnation. After all, technological change is commonly thought to have been the main driver of economic growth throughout history. However, if that reading of technological change is far too simplistic, with progress in fact far stilted, what does that mean for our future economic prospects?
In a groundbreaking new book, economist Carl Benedikt Frey looks back over the past millennium to show how technological change has driven growth, but also stagnation. Using these lessons from history, Carl then looks ahead to the impact of AI – whether it will really deliver the stronger economic growth we all crave, or what can be done to shape that change.
The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer the questions by Carl’s new book. He will be joined by Resolution Foundation President Lord Willetts to discuss the impact of technical change on economic growth and living standards, and what policy makers can do to shape that change in a positive direction.