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The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook, with Paul Johnson

Politics &
Economics

Reflections on a year of seismic change

In partnership with

Paul Johnson is the economist who has set the terms of so much political debate over the past few decades in Britain. Having served as Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies since 2011, his expertise on matters of public spending and global economic trends have provided invaluable insight to the public and policymakers alike. Johnson’s column for the Times, as well as his acclaimed Austerity Audit for Radio 4, continue to define public discourse on economic policy and its implications.

In October 2024 Johnson brought his expertise to the Intelligence Squared stage to reflect on a year of seismic change and assess the impact of the 2024 general election on the country’s economic future. Does Starmer have what it takes to grow the economy? How can Britain hope to compete with innovation in tech and AI on the global stage? What shape should defence spending take in an increasingly volatile world, and how can we begin to tackle domestic issues such as child poverty, cost of living, a crippled NHS and a stubborn housing crisis?

Speakers for the motion

  • Paul Johnson

    Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies

Chair

  • Jonny Dymond

    BBC News presenter and Royal Correspondent

Speakers are subject to change.

Speakers

Speaker

Paul Johnson

Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies

Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the UK’s leading economic research institute. He writes a weekly column for The Times and is a Visiting Professor in the UCL Policy Lab and at the UCL Department of Economics. As well as working at the IFS, he has also worked at the FSA, was chief economist at the department for education, and director of public spending at HM Treasury as well as deputy head of the Government Economic Service. His book Follow the Money: How Much Does Britain Cost? was published in 2023, illustrating how well – or not – the government raises and spends £1 trillion every year. He is a frequent contributor to written and broadcast media and his radio recordings include the acclaimed ‘Austerity Audit’ for Radio 4. He has published extensively on the economics of public policy including tax, welfare, housing, pensions, education, climate change and public finances.
Host

Jonny Dymond

BBC News presenter and Royal Correspondent

Presenter of BBC Radio 4's The World at One and The World This Weekend and BBC World Service Radio's World Questions. He is also Royal Correspondent for BBC News. He recently presented the BBC Radio 4 series Putin, in which told the story of Vladimir Putin's life by interviewing guests who have watched, studied and dealt with the Russian president.