Right now, over 3 million of us are living in ‘wellbeing poverty’. Long-term challenges – including poor health, loneliness, and economic insecurity – continue to weigh heavily on people’s lives.  

So how do we change course? Wellbeing measurement offers a powerful lens on these issues. It reveals not just how people are doing, but why – helping to inform more responsive, effective policies. 

At ‘Economics to improve lives’ we’re bringing together leaders from economics, civil society, policy, and media to consider how we might measure progress beyond traditional GDP – using approaches that reflect the lived realities of people today and respond to the challenges of our time.  

We’ll share new analysis from our second annual wellbeing report, highlighting the social and economic factors driving low wellbeing across the country and projecting how these trends may evolve through to 2030 and beyond.  

Why attend

• Discover the scale and drivers of low wellbeing in the UK detailed in PBE’s upcoming report 
• Explore the outlook for wellbeing between now and 2030 
• Reflect on the value of wellbeing data in shaping effective, targeted policy solutions 
• Engage in roundtable discussions on how wellbeing could influence approaches to the Government’s five missions

Speakers will include

• Heather Stewart, Economics Editor, The Guardian  
• Jo Swinson, Director, Partners for a New Economy 
• Jon Franklin, Chief Economist, PBE 
• Sufina Ahmad, Director, John Ellerman Foundation
• Tera Allas, Chair of Trustees, PBE 

Compensation for small charities

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We have a limited budget to cover travel expenses for the employees of smaller charities attending this event. This is available to charities with an annual turnover equal to or under £500,000 or under £1 million for charities representing underrepresented communities. Get in touch with events@pbe.co.uk to find out more

Agenda

09:00 – 09:30 – Guest arrival and refreshments (tea, coffee and pastries)  

09:30 – Welcome  – Chair: Heather Stewart, Economics Editor, The Guardian  

09:35 – Presentation: Low wellbeing in the UK  – Jon Franklin, Chief Economist, PBE  

09: 50 – Panel discussion  

Speakers to include:  Chair: Heather Stewart, Economics Editor, The Guardian; Jo Swinson, Director, Partners for a New Economy; Jon Franklin, Chief Economist, PBE ; Sufina Ahmad, Director, John Ellerman Foundation 

10:40 – 11:00 – Break and refreshments  

11:00 – Roundtables – Wellbeing-driven missions – Hosted by Tera Allas, Chair, PBE 

Discussions will explore how the focus of the Government’s five missions might shift if approached through a wellbeing lens.  

11:40 – Closing comments – Tera Allas, Chair, PBE 

11:45 – Finish