Building Back Better: a “sharp and clear focus” is required by all parties
As the UK emerges from its roadmap out of lockdown, it is time explore what ‘Building Back Better’ actually means. Is this just a political phrase that has caught media attention, or can rebuilding change our past economic approaches and result in lower carbon, greater social value, investment in skills and more effective economic delivery mechanisms? This is the focus of the IED’s online conference this week.
So what does this mean to me? Firstly, I think it is a vision that has a sharp and clear focus on two or three absolute priorities and needs, accompanied by a long-term commitment to sufficient funding to really target and turn the dial on inequality. Spreading funds across too many areas too thinly is not going to achieve structural economic changes that are essential if we are serious about not leaving anyone behind.