From Insight to Impact: How TPI Is Tackling the UK’s Productivity Puzzle
The Productivity Institute (TPI) has published its Annual Review 2024/25, showcasing how its research and partnerships are helping the UK respond to one of its most pressing challenges – low productivity growth.
Over the past year, TPI has deepened its work with academics, businesses and policymakers to better understand what drives productivity and how to unlock greater inclusive growth. While global headwinds such as disrupted supply chains and inflation have weighed on economies, the rise of artificial intelligence and renewed focus on regional development present major opportunities for the UK.
Turning research into action
TPI’s research continues to address the fundamentals of productivity, from the adoption of AI in finance, retail and manufacturing, to the uneven distribution of digital skills and investment across the country. Findings point to both the potential of new technologies and the risks of widening gaps between regions.
The new Policy Unit, launched in 2024, has begun translating research into practical recommendations for government.
TPI’s joint report with the National Institute of Economic and Social Research argued for a more joined-up approach to growth, including reforms to strengthen long-term policymaking and support for devolved regions.
National Productivity Week 2025: A landmark campaign
A key highlight of the review period was the second National Productivity Week (NPW) in January 2025, which significantly amplified TPI’s reach and impact. With 27 events held nationwide, NPW 2025 engaged over 2,000 participants, including academics, policymakers, business leaders and students. The week had a dual focus: launching the Regional Productivity Agenda and the delivery of key insights from TPI’s work on Strategic Productivity.
Supporting businesses and regions
Recognising the central role of firms, TPI’s Strategic Productivity programme has provided practical insights for business leaders, exploring how finance, innovation, skills and leadership can drive performance. Executive Education courses and new research funding calls are helping firms translate these insights into practice.
At the regional level, TPI’s Productivity Forums continue to highlight local strengths and challenges, with a new South West Forum launched this year. Updated scorecards and dashboards from the TPI Productivity Lab now give policymakers and businesses clearer data to guide decision-making at national, regional and city levels.
Looking ahead
TPI is strengthening its international connections, with a major research conference in Manchester on 4-5 September 2025 and ongoing collaborations with global partners. Its popular Productivity Puzzles podcast also continues to bring research insights to a wider audience.
Over the course of the next year, TPI will continue to provide the evidence, ideas and tools needed to improve productivity across the UK and raise living standards.
The Productivity Institute is a UK-wide research organisation funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. It brings together world-class experts from a range of disciplines and partner institutions to help pinpoint the causes of the UK’s productivity stagnation and lay the foundations for a new era of sustained and inclusive productivity growth.
