National Productivity Week 27th January 2025 | Visit Website

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The Institute’s key research themes are led by ten academic partners spread across the UK.

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Businesses are crucial to solving the UK’s productivity problems.

Productivity Puzzles podcast returns for its second season

Season 2 of Productivity Puzzles with Bart van Ark has begun. Episode 1 is available on our website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Season 1 featured 20 episodes with guests from across the academic, policy and business worlds discussing all things productivity – from why it matters, how it’s measured as well as deep dives into how it matters in the NHS, in the regions, health and well-being and the public sector.

The first season of Productivity Puzzles enjoyed 27,500 downloads and reached third in Apple Podcast’s government category ranking in July 2022. The podcast has gone from strength to strength and the new season will have more expertise and insight from guests such as Catherine Mann, Richard Jones, Diane Coyle, Jagjit Chadha and many more.

Episode 1, which was released on 19 January, dives into where productivity is heading. What will happen to productivity in the UK, around Europe, and even around the world? It takes a forward-looking perspective on future productivity and what needs to be done to realise that productivity potential. What policy changes can be made and what measures can businesses implement to improve the productivity outlook.

Host Professor Bart van Ark is joined by:

  • Catherine Mann, External member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England
  • Kitty Ussher, Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors
  • Klaas de Vries, Senior Economist at the Conference Board

Listen to Global and European Productivity Outlook 2023-2030 on our website, or through the podcast portal of your choice.