Together with the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Climate Change and Renewable Energy we hosted a panel discussion for parliamentarians looking at how we can build back better after Covid. On the panel was:

• Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology at University College, London
• Sir David King, former Chief Scientist to the government and profess at the University of Cambridge
• Professor Mariana Mazzucato, professor in economics at University College, London
• Professor Tim Jackson, professor in sustainable development at the University of Surrey

The discussion was chaired by the Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy and covered three main questions: what are the prospects for recovery, is the debt from Covid sustainable, and how do we build a better future?

Below are the highlights from each of those questions.

What are the prospects for a healthy recovery?

• Sir Michael Marmot on how existing inequalities have determined who is most affected by Covid
• Professor Tim Jackson on the lessons we can learn from the 2008 crash
• Professor Mariana Mazzucato on why we need to change government approaches to handling crises
• Sir David King on the predictability of Covid

Is the debt from dealing with Covid sustainable?

• Professor Mariana Mazzucato on why we shouldn't be talking about numbers but about purpose
• Professor Tim Jackson on why there are many ways the government can continue to pay for the cost of dealing with the crisis
• Sir Michael Marmot on what the crisis is teaching us about what we really value

How do we build a healthier, happier society?

• Sir David King on why the recovery must put climate front and centre
• Professor Tim Jackson on why we need a much broader definition of "green" jobs
• Professor Mariana Mazzucato on how governments can use their resources to improve people's lives
• Sir Michael Marmot on the indicators he would prefer the government used

You can also watch the full video here: