What will the project try to achieve?
Given the enormous pressures on state finances, it is now more important than ever to find ways to ensure that government can consider the real views of ordinary citizens on these issues, especially those who have little voice in economic policymaking currently.
Yet economic policy has traditionally been set with little if any direct input from ordinary individuals. There is no positive sense in Britain of what national debt is for: who should fiscal policy support and when? what kinds of priorities are ‘worth it’ for the interest payments on debt? How should the burden of repayment be shared (taxation)?
This project will establish a Citizens’ Economic Council on the Cost of Living – a 50-person citizens’ assembly focused on deliberating over the policy choices facing government in the area of national debt and fiscal policy more generally.
The aim will be to transform the debate on UK public finances by producing a set of fiscal policy recommendations reflecting the views of a representative group of UK citizens,
recruited for the representation of those from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. Recommendations will be collated in a Charter on UK National Debt which will be used to influence policy-making and debate around national debt and fiscal priorities in the UK.
Who might be interested in this project?
1. Politicians and policy-making communities at all levels, but given the macroeconomic focus, particularly to those at national level and/or those focused on the economy.
2. Individuals and organisations with an interest in deliberative democratic processes and ways of improving governance and giving citizens greater voice in decision-making.
3. Journalists, economists and think tank staff with any focus on national economic priorities.
4. Organisations focused on improving understanding of economics amongst citizens.