On Wednesday the 20th May the Social Market Foundation launched its latest publication ‘Anglo-Flexicurity: Insuring Against Unemployment in the UK'. Speaking at the event were the report's author Dr Henry Kippin; Francesca Arcidiaco, Vice-President Government Relations Europe for Genworth Financial and Professor Robert Shiller, renowned economist and author of ‘The Subprime Solution' and ‘Animal Spirits'.
The event began with Dr Kippin, an Associate Research Fellow at the SMF, introducing the reports findings before Ms Arcidiaco and Prof Shiller gave their thoughts.
Speaking about the report, Prof Shiller said, "I very much like the sound of this, and I commend the Social Market Foundation for supporting it." He went to say it was his opinion that it benefits no-one if someone takes a job that is a bad fit for them and unemployment insurance gives them the time to find a job that is a better match." He concluded by saying that the scheme suggested in the report "makes good economic sense."
The speakers answered questions from the audience including from Evan Davis, presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 and a member of the SMF's Policy Advisory Board."
The slides from Dr Kippin's presentation can be downloaded here (.pdf)
(l-r) Evan Davis, Ian Mulheirn, Francesca Arcidiaco and Robert Shiller discuss the report
Dr Kippin (far right) presents the report
Professor Shiller responds to questions