Event

Winter 2025 economic forum

14 February 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Online

Think tank: National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)

This event hosted by UK think tank the National Institute of Economic and Social Research will discuss future economic prospects.

After the election of a new government in July 2024 with a mandate of ‘change’ and the promise of higher economic growth, what is the outlook for the UK economy seven months on from the transfer of power and three months after the autumn Budget? With a slight fall in the December inflation figures and a slight rise in GDP, how confident are the markets, businesses and consumers about our future economic prospects, and how should the Bank of England respond when setting interest rates? What is the likely impact the higher minimum/living wage, and the freezing of personal income tax thresholds, for low-income households? How will businesses respond to the rise in the employer rate of National Insurance Contributions? And what about reducing regional inequalities? Drawing on the analysis contained within our winter economic forecast, the presenters will discuss their thoughts relating to recent events and explore some of the underlying economic trends.

Globally, whilst the impact of President Trump’s proposed tariffs has been well-documented, what will be the likely effect of some of his other policies on the US economy? How will the recession in Germany and political instability in France affect the rest of the Euro Area and, with the geo-political situation slowly improving in the Middle East, what are the growth prospects for the global economy? Our speakers will, as part of their presentations, discuss the likely timing of interest rate cuts in advanced economies, along with their impacts on emerging markets.

Following their presentations there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and explore the insights in more depth.