0:00
So, as a director for growth, looking at
0:02
this government's growth record, you
0:04
must be pulling your hair out.
0:05
>> Well, look, I think what has been
0:07
somewhat frustrating has been the lack
0:08
of focus, despite, as you say, their
0:10
their commitment to growth, making it
0:12
the core mission. I think there has been
0:13
a lot of stuff done, and potentially
0:15
trying to do too many things that won't
0:17
meaningfully shift the dial on growth,
0:19
and losing potentially traction or
0:21
political capital on the things that
0:22
might. Take planning reform, for
0:23
instance, where they were making good
0:25
headway, they're still making progress,
0:26
but obviously there's been some watering
0:28
down. It's probably not as
0:29
all-encompassing as and as far-reaching
0:32
as as many of us would like to see. So,
0:34
look, I I think definitely there is a
0:35
frustration that they have maybe lost
0:37
sight of the core mission that they set
0:38
out to do. But, having been in number
0:40
10, I can sympathize that, you know,
0:41
events do take over, and it is hard to
0:43
maintain that focus. But, I'm hopeful
0:45
that we're now at the stage where
0:47
actually they realize the long-term aim
0:49
has to be to try to generate some level
0:51
of growth, some level of momentum
0:53
towards the next election. And I think
0:55
we can see why tying things to cost of
0:57
living, tying things to other short-term
0:58
indicators, which really are largely out
1:00
of government's control, is probably
1:02
quite difficult. So, I think building
1:03
towards what you can meaningfully do to
1:05
help uh long-term economic growth, and
1:07
the levers the government does have,
1:09
strikes me still as the as the best path
1:11
>> You're sure you weren't in the