The Economy
Developing a social liberal approach to economic policy that is fair, practical, sustainable and rooted in opportunity for all.
Overview
Economic policy matters because it shapes the conditions in which people live their lives. It affects whether families feel secure, whether businesses can invest and grow, whether public services can thrive, and whether opportunity is shared fairly across the country. But too often, economic debate is reduced to narrow measures and technical language, when the real question should be much simpler: is the economy helping people to live well, contribute fully, and look to the future with confidence?
Events in this project
SLF Summer Conference 2025
At Summer Conference 2025, the SLF brought together key Liberal Democrats on economic issues, including:
- Daisy Cooper MP, Treasury Spokesperson and Deputy Leader
- Victoria Collins MP, Science, Innovation & Technology Spokesperson
- Pippa Heylings MP, Energy Security & Net Zero Spokesperson
- Bobby Dean MP, Treasury Select Committee Member
- Sarah Walker-Smith, Lib Dem Business Network Board Member
Autumn Conference 2025
At the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference 2025, the SLF brought two high-profile events to conference, with speakers including:
- Sarah Olney MP, Business Spokesperson
- Bobby Dean MP, Treasury Select Committee Member
- Tim Leunig, Chief Economist at NESTA
- Ann Pettifor, Co-founder at Policy Research in Macroeconomics (PRIME)
Spring Conference 2026
At the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference 2026, the SLF brought together key Liberal Democrats and economists, including many who are members of the Party's Thriving Economy Working Group. Speakers included:
- Julia Goldsworthy, Chair of the Thriving Economy Working Group
- Rhian O’Connor, Thriving Economy Working Group
- Joe Wright, Thriving Economy Working Group
- Alan Harding, Development Economist
Publications in this project
Blank Slate UBI
An SLF-commissioned report offering a constructive challenge to the UK basic income debate and exploring the transformative potential of Universal Basic Income.
The Menace of Climate Change
A Social Liberal Forum report on the scale of the climate emergency and the wider political and economic changes needed in response.
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