Part of the WISERD Wales & Recession Seminar Series (March – December 2014)

2008 marked the beginning of the deepest and longest recession of modern times.  While its causes are to be found in centres of economic and political gravity beyond Wales, its effects on the Welsh economy and on the lives of the people of Wales have been profound and far reaching.

This seminar series aimed to examine the impact of the recession on social and economic life in Wales; and to take stock of the policy responses in Wales in the context of a Westminster government committed to austerity measures.

Income, Poverty, Unemployment & Working Lives 

Ross MacKay

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done’. Keynes 1936.

Why did nobody notice it?’ The Queen, 2008

Full employment was for many years the all-important target of economic policy. Contained inflation became and remained the key objective from the late 1980’s.

This paper considered the shift from a sellers’ to a buyers’ market for labour and from conditions of full employment to low opportunity. It does so in the context of growing inequality between both people and places that develops over time. The Great Recession, dating from 2008, points to the dangers when speculative investment overtakes and substitutes for enterprise investment. Market forces work strongly against certain groups in society and leave gaps in the community and economy that people struggle to bridge.

5.30pm – Drinks reception

5.45pm – Seminar

6.15pm – Q&A

6.30pm – Finish

Wales & Recessions: Global Challenges & Local Responses

20 March 2014

Wales & Recession: Neighbourhood, Place & the Changing High Street

27 May 2014 POSTPONED

Wales & Recession: Tackling Poverty

19 June 2014

Wales & Recession: Health and Well-being

10 July 2014 POSTPONED

Wales & Recession: Rural communities

11 September 2014

Wales & Recession: Housing and Homelessness

9 October 2014

Wales & Recession: Exploring the Welsh Government Policy Responses

13 November 2014

Wales & Recession: A new economy?

11 December 2014