What do we really know about the economy and the policy choices confronting us? Professor Diane Coyle speaks on the BBC Radio 4 Analysis programme about the uncertainties of using GDP to make policy decisions.
How well do we know what the economy is up to? It’s recently been suggested that the first estimates of GDP can’t be sure of telling the difference between boom and bust and some recessions have turned out to be illusions.
Journalist Michael Blastland talks to Professor Diane Coyle about measuring the economy using GDP and how it affects policy and debate.
…these numbers have quite profound impacts sometimes and I have a lot of sympathy with using them to tell that story about the economy because we do need to get our arms around what’s happening, but I do wish people would have a greater appreciation of all the uncertaintly involved.
Professor Diane Coyle, Inaugural Bennett Professor of Public Policy
- Flying Blind with Michael Blastland on BBC Radio 4
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy.