Westminster Hall debateWestminster HallTuesday, 21 April 202616:00

Potential merits of use of alternative measures to GDP within Government

Backbench debate (separate chamber, no votes)

This Westminster Hall debate examines whether the UK government should use alternative economic measures alongside or instead of GDP to assess national progress and inform policy decisions. The debate will explore metrics that capture wellbeing, sustainability, and quality of life, questioning whether GDP alone provides a complete picture of economic health and societal outcomes.

This is nationally significant because how government measures economic success directly influences policy priorities and spending allocation. If alternative metrics gain traction, it could shift government focus from pure economic growth toward areas like health, environment, inequality, and wellbeing — affecting public spending on social services, environmental protection, and regional development.

Tax & Public Finances Economy & Jobs (General)

MPs most likely to speak

Chris BryantLabour Party

Rhondda and Ogmore

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on fiscal-policy, economy-jobs, agriculture (287 times, 40pts); Known positions: technology: supportive, economy-jobs: supportive, economy-jobs: neutral (30pts)Voting record

Dame Harriett BaldwinConservative and Unionist Party

West Worcestershire

Shadow Business and Trade — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Venue: 15 Westminster Hall debates (×0.7); Spoken on fiscal-policy, economy-jobs, agriculture (437 times, 28pts); Known positions: economy-jobs: opposed, fiscal-policy: opposed, economy-jobs: questioning (21pts); Committee: treasury committee (20pts)Voting record

Mr Alistair CarmichaelLiberal Democrats

Orkney and Shetland

Spoken on fiscal-policy, economy-jobs, agriculture (316 times, 40pts); Known positions: agriculture: opposed, economy-jobs: questioning, agriculture: questioning (30pts); Committee: environment, food and rural affairs committee (Chair) (25pts)Voting record

Dr Roz SavageLiberal Democrats

South Cotswolds

Debate sponsor/lead member (calendar Members field)Voting record

Matt WesternLabour Party

Warwick and Leamington

Spoken on fiscal-policy, economy-jobs, technology (172 times, 40pts); Known positions: economy-jobs: supportive, fiscal-policy: supportive, technology: questioning (30pts); Committee: business and trade sub-committee on economic security, arms and export controls (20pts)Voting record

Potential merits of use of alternative measures to GDP within Government

MPs most likely to speak

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