Labour leader Ed Miliband MP launches Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute

Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband MP has launched the Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI), speaking at its inaugural lecture held at the University’s Octagon Centre.

Speaking to a capacity audience of more than 1,000 people the Right Honourable Ed Miliband gave an hour long lecture on his plans to reinvigorate the economy calling for better training, innovation and investment, before going on to answer questions from members of the public.

Mr Miliband said: “Standing here looking out at the sea of young faces, I think the most important thing to say is this is the right institution, at the right time, in the right place. It’s right because the study of politics and economics is more important than it’s ever been. Sheffield is a home of great manufacturing heritage with a centre of great learning, which this University has been for a long time.”

SPERI will bring together leading international researchers in the social sciences, policy-makers, journalists and opinion formers to assess and develop proposals in response to the political and economic issues posed by the global financial crisis. The group will build on the activities of the University's longstanding Political Economy Research Centre (PERC) and seeks now to take the work of this centre to another stage.

Co-director Professor Colin Hay, who founded SPERI with Professor Tony Payne, said: “We are delighted to welcome the leader of the opposition to Sheffield to open SPERI. His lecture comes at a time when the challenge to find a new growth trajectory for the British economy is more pressing than ever. This is the challenge to which all the political parties will need to address themselves before the next election and it is the core focus of SPERI.”

The event, which was at capacity just hours after tickets became available, was attended by dignitaries including High Sheriff of South Yorkshire Andrew Coombe, Lord Lieutenant David Moody, and Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council John Mothersole.

A seperate SPERI conference will be held on 16 July 2012 to the 18 July 2012 at Halifax Hall, a 19th Century Victorian mansion in the Endcliffe Village complex. The conference, titled The British Growth Crisis: The Search for a New Model, is aiming to provide a context in which alternative strategies and models of growth for the British economy can be proposed, debated, evaluated and assessed by academics and policy-makers.

Themes include thinking through a new British growth model, understanding and resolving the Eurozone crisis, assessing the achievements and new role of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, in the global political economy, managing global financial regulation and refining the G20's leadership of the global economic and political order.

Tickets for the full conference cost £250, including conference fee and all refreshments, lunches and evening meals, or £150 a day, which includes conference fee, lunch and refreshments for the day.

Tickets must be purchased before the end of May 2012. The same packages are also available for self-funded PhD students at a cost of £200 for full conference and £120 per day.