LSE Growth Commission: despite Brexit, the UK should stay open to international talent

LSE Growth Commission's 2017 report sets out a new blueprint for inclusive and sustainable growth in the UK that deals with the challenges facing the UK, old and new. Drawing on the latest research, analysis and evidence from leading practitioners and scholars, the Commission outlines the top priorities in four key areas.

Jobs and skills
In a world of rapidly changing technologies and labour markets, it is essential to develop systems of lifelong learning to promote greater security and adaptability for workers.

Industrial strategy
The UK needs an industrial strategy – the government is right to focus here - but there are gaps between this vital area and monetary, fiscal and competition policy.

Openness
Britain’s strength is in services, and two-thirds of the country’s trade is with the US and EU. Negotiations must focus here: a trade deal with the US is needed, as is a new EU trade agreement with a 'services passport' at its core.

Finance and growth
The UK is a world-leading financial centre – yet despite its strength there is a shortage of competitionAs a Research Economist at LSE’s Growth Commission, Anna Valero spent part of the post-Brexit months studying the gaps between public policy and the new economic reality in the UK. In an interview with LSE Business Review’s managing editor, Helena Vieira, she discusses what the UK could do stimulate economic growth and fight inequality.

The skills gap is one of her key points, but she also discusses industrial policy and the need to improve entrepreneurs’ access to finance. 'Now that there are additional risks from Brexit to the City of London, we thought we should revisit the issue of financial services and the role of the City in the future', she says.

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: More talent, please: a blueprint for the UK’s future migration policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/more-talent-please-a-blueprint-for-the-uks-future-migration-policy/

LSE: Growth Commission http://www.lse.ac.uk/researchAndExpertise/units/growthCommission/home.aspx

ESO: Background information: Testing Brexit: researchers layout blueprint for success - A successful Brexit. Four economic tests (UK in a Changing Europe, January 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/testing-brexit-researchers-layout-blueprint-for-success-a-successful-brexit-four-economic-tests/

Blog: LSE Brexit, 14.04.17: Brexiteers hope to rebalance the economy towards exports, but this may prove a naïve myth http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2017/04/14/brexiteers-hope-to-rebalance-the-economy-towards-exports-but-this-risks-proving-a-naive-myth/

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