Press Conference for Winter Economic Outlooks

We are delighted to invite you to our Winter 2022 press briefing.

With rising inflation asking questions of central banks, consumer incomes hit by rising energy prices and Omicron continuing to disrupt the supply of both goods and labour, what does the year ahead hold for both the UK and global economies? Our Winter Economic Outlooks will analyse how these factors could influence 2022 and beyond and explore how the Bank of England, and other central banks, could respond in the face of this uncertain picture.

In the UK, the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper is eagerly anticipated, with policy required to tackle growing economic divergences. Our experts will examine divergence at both regional and sectoral levels, commenting on how government policy may impact on household spending and analysing likely consequences of the surge in inflation. We also examine the effect Brexit has had on UK trade, and the prospects for business investment as we seek to build a sustainable recovery.

Globally, we will continue to analyse the heterogeneity across countries in the rebound from the pandemic recession. Whilst the high transmissibility of Omicron is creating a global surge of infections, which is distinct from past waves, the advancement of the vaccination campaign - particularly in the West - limits its impact on real activity. How does it affect labour within those sectors where there are already shortages? What is its impact on supply chains? What are the consequences for monetary policy normalisation in the US and around the globe?