Abstract
The Citizens’ Economic Council on the Cost of Living (CEC) gathered 39 UK citizens to take part in a series of online workshops to answer the question: how should UK government respond to the cost-of-living crisis through fiscal policy? The citizens were recruited by sortition, resulting in a diverse cross-section of participants from all four nations of the UK.
The cost-of-living crisis is the latest in a series of substantial economic challenges to face the UK. Confident decision-making and bold thinking are required, but such thinking will only be successful with public support and confidence. Economic policy is often seen as too complex for non-specialists, but the CEC demonstrated that, when given high quality information, realistic scenarios and time to discuss and ask questions, citizens can provide unique insights and advice on difficult economic policy issues.
Greater citizen engagement of the type this project embodied can show that decision-makers are genuinely listening and thereby help to rebuild trust in economic policy.
The cost-of-living crisis is the latest in a series of substantial economic challenges to face the UK. Confident decision-making and bold thinking are required, but such thinking will only be successful with public support and confidence. Economic policy is often seen as too complex for non-specialists, but the CEC demonstrated that, when given high quality information, realistic scenarios and time to discuss and ask questions, citizens can provide unique insights and advice on difficult economic policy issues.
Greater citizen engagement of the type this project embodied can show that decision-makers are genuinely listening and thereby help to rebuild trust in economic policy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 76 |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 1 Oct 2023 |
Keywords
- Deliberative democracy
- Fiscal policy
- Citizens' assembly
- Cost-of-living crisis
- public engagement
- Politics & Economics