Our interdisciplinary research aims to pinpoint the causes of the stagnation in UK productivity.
We study how institutions, finance and place interact – so investment is sustained, knowledge spreads and more regions can raise their productivity.
The Institutions & the Economy programme investigates how the UK’s rules, finance systems, and geography influence productivity at both local and national levels.
We explore the causes and consequences of under-investment, short-termism, and regional disparities, and assess how policy and governance structures can be improved.
Our research examines the flow of finance and investment, the impact of urban scale, and the mechanisms by which knowledge and capabilities diffuse across regions. We also address the challenges of over-centralisation and siloed decision-making, which can hinder effective policy delivery.
By drawing on international models and advanced data analysis, we offer evidence-based recommendations to ensure that investment is sustained, knowledge spreads, and all regions have the opportunity to raise their productivity.
Bank of England | External Member of the Monetary Policy Committee
University of Manchester | Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics
The Productivity Institute | Director of the Productivity Lab