The Treasury is hiring for someone to direct the UK’s growth strategy in a new unit looking at how to “boost growth and living standards through supply side reform.” Why hadn’t anyone thought of that?
The Economic Growth Unit has a new “Growth Strategy Unit” within it which is meant to lead Treasury progress on growth policies:
“It advises the Chancellor, Exchequer Secretary, EMB, as well as the PM, No10 including No 10 North, and the Cabinet Secretary on the drivers of the UK’s economic performance, the sufficiency of our existing strategy, and opportunities to go further – including navigating fiscal and wider trade-offs…
It leads external engagement on growth, including with economic commentators, think tanks and academics. This engagement is strategic, and two-way: hearing stakeholders’ views, whilst also proactively and confidently setting out the Government’s strategy and responding to challenges.”
A job advert says the unit is currently focussed on economic dynamism. For £86,000 the government wants someone to “shape and drive the UK’s growth agenda and economic strategy.” You could say pennies…
Among the key features of the role, which include “embedding economic analysis in strategic policymaking,” is “showing a clear commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and belonging.” Thank God that’s covered…
The foundation of the unit – which is also hiring more junior advisers – signals the government’s worry about managing to eke growth out of the sclerotic economy which sits under a web of tax and regulations. This is a deeply Labour thing – talk business and growth in abstract terms while legislating to strangle it in the crib…
Asked by Lobby hacks about his past comments on Trump (“any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”) Burnham was blithe:
“Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in.”
Were it so easy…