For years ‘industrial strategy’ wasn’t talked about at all. But the phrase has recently made a comeback. The government thinks there are some ‘long term challenges’ for the economy in this country, and they need to get involved to do something about them. Host Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by NEF's Senior Economist Sara Mahmoud and Will Brett, NEF's Director of News and Media, to discuss exactly what these challenges are, and to address the question: what should the UK’s industrial strategy loo...
Jul 31, 2017•28 min
Personal debt is at record levels with one in six of us at risk of a debt crisis. Credit cards, overdrafts and payday loans are propping up households across the country as wages continue to fall in real terms. And many people are struggling under the pressure of paying back what they owe. But what is the effect on the wider economy? And what should we do about it? Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is back with us this week and is joined by Sarah Lyall, NEF's Social Policy Lead and special guest Dr Jo Michel...
Jul 24, 2017•26 min
Big data. It’s one of those terms that’s far more widely used than it is understood. What is it? And just as importantly – who benefits from it? To get the full picture on big data, we are joined this week by a special guest – Will Davies, Director of the Political Economy Research Centre and a Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London. Our regular host Ayeisha Thomas-Smith returns next week – so Will Brett, NEF’s Director of News and Media, steps into the role of host. They talk about...
Jul 17, 2017•29 min
The latest episode of the Weekly Economics Podcast asks whether The Great Repeal Bill will mean we 'take back control' of our laws. Stepping in for our host Ayeisha Thomas-Smith this week is producer Huw Jordan, who will be trying to make sense of the 'Great' Repeal Bill and the legal tangle of Britain leaving the EU. He'll be joined by Dave Powell, who leads on NEF's environment work, and special guest Karla Hill, Programme Director at ClientEarth. Enjoying the show? Tweet us your comments and ...
Jul 10, 2017•28 min
What more does the environment have to do to become an election issue? Joining our host Ayeisha Thomas-Smith this week are Dave Powell, Subject Lead on Environment at the New Economics Foundation, Fernanda Balata, who leads NEF's work on coastal economies and Andrew Pendleton, Principal Director of Policy and Advocacy at NEF to discuss the environment, the election and the prospects for saving our planet. — Enjoying the show? Tweet us your comments and questions @NEF! — Produced by James Shield....
Jul 03, 2017•32 min
6 out of 10 of us now think the NHS is one of the biggest issues facing Britain - the highest level of concern for 15 years. This week we're joined by Allyson Pollock, Director of the Institute of Health and Society at Newcastle University, Sarah Lyall, Social Policy Lead at the New Economics Foundation and James Shield, who (when he's not producing the Weekly Economics Podcast) is Senior Policy Analyst at Macmillan Cancer Support to discuss the NHS, Social Care and more. — Enjoying the show? Tw...
Jun 26, 2017•31 min
Elections are supposed to be won and lost on economics. But in the recent general election here in the UK, interrupted by terrorist attacks in Manchester and London and coming a year after the EU referendum, some people have said that the economy had dropped down the agenda. But is that true? What role did the economy really play in the election and what are the economic consequences of the result? This week we're joined by the New Statesman’s Stephen Bush, NEF’s Principal Director of Policy and...
Jun 19, 2017•28 min
Politicians and economists have increasingly been talking about the risks of a future where robots make all of our jobs obsolete. But is that future already upon us? And in the meantime, are big companies using technology to create 21st century workhouses with bad conditions and even worse pay? Joining Ayeisha this week are Stefan Baskerville, NEF's Principal Director for Unions and Business, and familiar faces Alice Martin and Annie Quick. — This is the last episode in our current series, but w...
Apr 10, 2017•28 min
The triggering of Article 50 has dominated the news this week, and NEF Chief Executive Marc Stears makes a special guest appearance to give his take on what is in store as the process unfolds. Also on the agenda is devolution. Rachel Laurence and Annie Quick join Laurie Macfarlane to discuss inequality, democracy and the North/South divide. Tune in for all of this, plus our guests' predictions for what lies ahead on the political horizon… — Enjoying the show? Tweet us your comments and questions...
Apr 03, 2017•28 min
Britain is in the grips of a full blown housing crisis. Even if you're not struggling to meet your mortgage payments or at the mercy of a dodgy landlord, the UK's debt-fuelled property boom isn't good news for any of us. But guess what? There's a solution! Alice Martin, our resident housing expert, is back with us this week. Tune in for an amazing campaign win on Britain's Land Registry, why now probably isn't the time to be flogging off acres of old hospital sites, and the hottest sport of the ...
Mar 27, 2017•33 min
Breaking: Article 50 will be triggered on Wednesday 29 March, kick-starting the formal, two-year process of Britain's departure from the EU. That's what we're talking about this week. How will the negotiations play out? Can we expect big ructions in global financial markets? What will the biggest issues be and how will they be resolved? Tune in for all our regular features and analysis, including the shifting shopping habits of Britain's hipsters... — Enjoying the show? Tweet us your comments an...
Mar 20, 2017•30 min
Last week was the Spring Budget, and as ever, we had experts from NEF on hand to cast a critical eye over the Chancellor’s announcements. Is the UK’s economic forecast as sunny as Philip Hammond would have us believe? On top of our usual features and analysis, tune in to hear whether our guests are as sartorially clairvoyant as they are economically clued up… — Enjoying the show? Tweet us your comments and questions @NEF! — Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for the New Economics Foundat...
Mar 13, 2017•33 min
We're back and kicking off our new series with President Trump - the end of economics as we know it, or Republican business as usual? Our new presenter, Ayeisha Thomas-Smith, is joined by New Economics Foundation regulars Alice Martin, Laurie Macfarlane and Stephen Devlin. As well as Trump, we talk news from the last week and get some expert predictions on the upcoming Budget. Tune in to find out why Mexico might want to nationalise Twitter, and the bad news ahead for Britain's vending machines....
Mar 07, 2017•29 min
A message from Huw and James at the Weekly Economics Podcast - we need your help! Over the last two years the podcast has gone from strength to strength, and we want to come back bigger and better than ever in 2017. Help us do that by filling out a short, 5 minute survey. Link's below, and we'll love you forever if you fill it out! Thanks so much for all your support, and we'll be back soon. www.neweconomics.org/podcastsurvey
Feb 03, 2017•2 min
The final episode of the year and Kirsty's last show as she moves on to a new job in Manchester! Programme editor Huw Jordan chats to Kirsty about the highlights and lowlights during her two years hosting the Weekly Economics Podcast, with a little help from her niece Emily. Featuring contributions from Olivier Vardakoulias, Caroline Lucas MP, John Hilary, James Meadway, Steve Keen, Faiza Shaheen, Christine Berry, Dan Vockins, Jacqui Howard, Yuan Yang, Emily Kenway, Mika Minio-Paluello and Alice...
Dec 26, 2016•30 min
How do we combat hate and racism in British society and really take control of the agenda around migration in 2017? Marc Stears, Chief Executive at the New Economics Foundation, is joined by Nazek Ramadan of Migrant Voice and John Page from Hope Not Hate. This is the final episode of a special six-part series asking how we can create a new economy where people can really take control of their lives. The New Economics Foundation on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NEF Marc Stears on Twitter: www.twitter....
Dec 19, 2016•22 min
Britain's coastal communities registered some of the strongest votes for Brexit back in June. How can we really give them control of their lives, economies and natural resources? This week Kirsty is joined by NEF's Fernanda Balata, Blue New Deal project lead, and Andrew Binnie of COAST (Community of Arran Seabed Trust). Part of a special six-part series asking how we can create a new economy where people can really take control of their lives. The New Economics Foundation on Twitter: www.twitter...
Dec 12, 2016•22 min
Have we lost control of housing in the UK and how do we really take control of the places we live? With Seb Klier and Alice Martin. Part of a special six-part series asking how we can create a new economy where people can really take control of their lives. The New Economics Foundation on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NEF Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 St Ann's Redevelopment Trust on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StARTharingey Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for the...
Dec 05, 2016•21 min
How can we really take control of work and our working lives? With Elly Baker and Duncan McCann. Part of a special six-part series asking how we can create a new economy where people can really take control of their lives. The New Economics Foundation on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NEF Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Duncan McCann on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DuncanMcCann4 Elly Baker on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ellyannab Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for the New ...
Nov 28, 2016•16 min
How can we really take control of our environment in a post-Brexit world? With Ruth Davis and David Powell. Part of a special six-part series asking how we can create a new economy where people can really take control of their lives. The New Economics Foundation on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NEF Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Dave Powell on Twitter: www.twitter.com/powellds Ruth Davis on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ruthdavis27 Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for th...
Nov 21, 2016•23 min
'Take back control' has been the slogan of the year. But what does it mean? Who's got control now? And how can we create a new economy where people can really take control of their lives? Christine Berry, Principal Director for Policy and Government at the New Economics Foundation, joins Kirsty to discuss the Foundation's new agenda for change. The New Economics Foundation on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NEF Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Produced by James Shield. Programme ...
Nov 14, 2016•16 min
'Take back control' has been the slogan of the year. But what does it mean? Who's got control now? And how can we create a new economy where people can really take control of their lives? Tune in next Monday for the start of this special six-part series.
Nov 07, 2016•1 min
People all over the UK have lost belief in our democracy as a way of solving their problems. But why have so many people lost faith? And how do we go about rebuilding it? Marc Stears, Chief Executive of NEF, joins Kirsty for our last episode of the series. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Marc Stears on Twitter: twitter.com/mds49 Produced by James Shield. Programme editor...
Sep 26, 2016•13 min
The latest State of Nature report, released last week, revealed UK species are becoming increasingly endangered. But what's to blame? NEF's David Powell joins Kirsty to explain. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 David Powell on Twitter: twitter.com/powellds Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for NEF: Huw Jordan. Music this week is by Podington Bear and Kai Engel. B...
Sep 19, 2016•16 min
With Sports Direct last week announcing plans to ban notorious zero-hour contracts and improve workers' representation, is big business about to change its ways? Dr Faiza Shaheen, Director of think tank Class, joins Kirsty this week. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Faiza Shaheen on Twitter: twitter.com/faizashaheen Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for NEF: Huw ...
Sep 12, 2016•16 min
Last week Apple was ordered to pay up to £11bn in fines over a sweetheart tax deal with Ireland. But did they actually break the law? Who was at fault? And why should it matter to the rest of us? Natasha Adams, Tax Campaign Manager at ActionAid, joins Kirsty to explain. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Natasha Adams on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tashahester Produced by ...
Sep 05, 2016•16 min
The latest GDP figures were out last week, but how would they be different if we starting measuring unpaid work? Polly Trenow joins Kirsty to discuss. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Polly Trenow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pollytrenow Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for NEF: Huw Jordan. Music this week is by TV Girl, Podington Bear and Donnie Ozone. Brought t...
Aug 30, 2016•13 min
What does the Deliveroo drivers' strike mean for the future of the sharing economy - and the future of work? Alice Martin, economy and finance researcher at NEF, is interviewed by guest host Ellie Mae O'Hagan. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Ellie Mae O'Hagan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/misselliemae Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for NEF: Huw Jordan. Music this week is by Crayon Mortel, Podington Bear and The Cryp...
Aug 22, 2016•15 min
Is it all over for the UK's first new nuclear power station in two decades? This week's special guest is NEF's David Powell. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for NEF: Huw Jordan. Music this week by Zreen Toyz, Podington Bear and Tuff Darts. Brought to you by the New Economics Foundation – the independent think tank and charity ca...
Aug 15, 2016•17 min
The Bank of England have cut interest rates and announced more quantitative easing to avoid a post-Brexit economic slowdown. Will it be enough? Kirsty is joined this week by Fran Boait, Director of Positive Money. NEF on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nef Weekly Economics Podcast on Twitter: www.twitter.com/weeklyeconpod Kirsty Styles on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kirstystyles1 Fran Boait on Twitter: www.twitter.com/franboait Produced by James Shield. Programme editor for NEF: Huw Jordan. Music this wee...
Aug 08, 2016•15 min
