ABOUT

This book is a primer for reviving the UK economy, co-authored by some of our finest economic minds: celebrated US economist Dr Arthur B. Laffer, inventor of the Laffer curve; policy campaigner Matthew Elliott; businessman Michael Hintze; and founder of the Centre for Economics and Business Research Douglas McWilliams.

It begins by setting out the principles for ideal economic policy – the ‘North Star’ of prosperity through growth – and then applies them to the UK’s current position. The thinking takes account of the age of autocracy and AI, in which political decisions in democracies are constrained and talented and entrepreneurial people are increasingly mobile, making economic incentives even more important.

The final section of the book draws on interviews with more than thirty economic decision-makers from the worlds of business, politics and the civil service, including five Prime Ministers and nine Chancellors. The interviews give insights into the economic and political causes of low growth and provide a strategy for implementing a pro-growth agenda.

Specially commissioned research for the book shows how the UK is forecast to slide down the league table of GDP per capita over the next twenty-five years. The book argues that such a slide is not inevitable and outlines a fully costed and modelled ‘24/7 Growth Plan’.

Book titled "Prosperity Through Growth" with subtitle "Boosting Living Standards in an Age of Autocracy and AI" by authors Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Matthew Elliott, Michael Hintze, and Douglas McWilliams.

About The Authors

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Dr Arthur B. Laffer is known as ‘The Father of Supply-Side Economics’. He advised President Reagan and Prime Minister Thatcher on fiscal policy. In 1999, Time named him one of ‘the Century’s Greatest Minds’ for creating the Laffer curve. In 2019, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour awarded by the United States, for his contributions to economics.

Matthew Elliott is one of the UK’s foremost public policy thinkers, having overseen two successful national referendum campaigns and set up numerous policy campaigns, including the TaxPayers’ Alliance. Lord Elliott is the co-founder and president of the Jobs Foundation, a charity which champions the role of business as a force for good.

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Michael Hintze is a financier and businessman. He held positions in Credit Suisse First Boston, Goldman Sachs and Salomon Brothers before founding CQS Investment Management and Deltroit Asset Management. He also served as an officer in the Australian Army. Lord Hintze’s philanthropy spans the arts, religious charities, military charities and education.

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Douglas McWilliams was chief economic adviser to the CBI and chief economist for IBM UK before setting up the Centre for Economics and Business Research. His best-known books are The Flat White Economy, about the emerging UK tech economy, and The Inequality Paradox, which refutes Thomas Piketty’s theory of exploitation

Quotes From Book

“We’re in a situation of genteel decline – people just putting up with 1 per cent growth. We’re effectively getting poorer, but we’re pretending we aren’t, and we need to convince people it doesn’t have to be that way. But we need to convince people we’ve got a very clear plan.”

David Cameron, Prime Minister 2010-16
“What this country needs, basically, is a massive new Thatcherian revolution, and a new kick in the pants. And I think it’s actually happening … There is an opening, I think, for a 1979-style change at the next election.”

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister 2019-22
“Is there the political will to make choices which carry short-term political cost?Most of what we’re describing is at least five-, more likely ten- or fifteen-year projects … All of these things could be done, but that’s different from will they be done?”

Andy Haldane Chief Economist, The Bank of England 2014-21
“This is a magnificent project. This is really, really important.”

Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary 2005-11
“With the right policies and determination, there is a real opportunity for strong growth.”

Jamie Dimon Chairman and CEO, JPMorganChase