Growth dependency in the UK’s adult social care sector

Modern economies rely on economic growth for stability and prosperity. Further, periods of stagnation and recession are currently associated with poor health and wellbeing outcomes for citizens. However, 50 years of research indicates that this state of dependency is ecologically unsustainable. It is therefore critical that we better understand the growth dependency of our economies and welfare systems, and how to overcome it. Through this talk Christine will offer a working definition of growth dependency, clarifying its core dimensions. Next, taking the UK's adult social care sector as a case study, she will argue that growth dependencies emerge in the adult social care sector as a result of three distinct dynamics: 1) the growing needs of an aging population; 2) limits to labour productivity growth; and 3) predatory financing within the sector. Christine will make the case that this state of growth dependency is not a concern for the distant future, but something that is already causing harm to those working and living in the social care sector. Finally, she will identify potential policy levers that could be utilised to move towards a more growth independent system, better for people and planet.

Christine Corlet Walker is a political economist who specialises in postgrowth economics and the privatisation of social care. Her research with the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity asks how we can build resilient welfare systems that meet the needs of all within the means of the planet. Most recently, she has looked at how predatory financing in the care sector is creating poor outcomes for care workers and service users. She has presented her work on growth dependency to policymakers at the European Commission, and is engaged in an ongoing capacity with the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Limits to Growth. Christine drafted a series of amendments to the Health & Care Bill that were debated in the House of Lords in early 2022, as well as co-developing a House of Commons Early Day Motion on the financialisation of adult social care. Her work has featured in The Morning Star, The Daily Express, The Guardian, The Conversation, BBC Radio Surrey and on a recent episode of BBC Panorama's Crisis in Care series.

NB. This is a HYBRID event, with an option to join the seminar in person or virtually. We do have limited numbers for the in-person room so please only book an in-person ticket if you are planning to physically attend.

Host or Publisher CASE, The London School of Economics