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Alternative Measures to GDP
21 April 2026
Lead MP
Roz Savage
South Cotswolds
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Torsten Bell
Tags
NHSEconomyMental Health
Word Count: 4443
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Roz Savage raised concerns about alternative measures to gdp in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should integrate ONS wellbeing metrics into spending decisions alongside GDP, require natural capital accounting in major infrastructure decisions, and introduce a parliamentary committee focused on long-term national well-being.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
GDP is an imperfect measure that fails to account for the well-being of people, distribution of wealth, environmental health, public goods, and long-term sustainability. It does not capture whether people feel safe or if society is fair. GDP also distorts measures of economic activity by counting harmful outcomes such as increased crime and healthcare spending without addressing underlying issues. Moreover, it lacks mechanisms to account for the harm to future generations and promotes short-term thinking.
Adam Dance
Lib Dem
Yeovil
He thanks his hon. Friend for her speech and agrees [K that the focus on GDP growth will continue to damage quality of life in rur [3D [K rural areas by overlooking environmental damage, access to education, socia [5D [K social inequality, and worsening public health.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
He requests that the Minister consider a formal targ [4D [K target to cut inequality, arguing that growth alone will not lead to a good [4D [K good life for all citizens due to an unjust society and environmental bound [5D [K boundaries being rapidly broken. I ask the Minister to take away the issue of imputed [7D [K imputed rent, which measures hypothetical rent on existing houses and infla [5D [K inflates GDP growth despite being theoretical.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He commends the hon. Lady for highlighting that whil [4D [K while GDP measures the monetary value of goods and services, it fails to ca [2D [K capture critical aspects such as environmental sustainability, income distr [5D [K distribution, and health. He questions whether a new measure could allow fa [2D [K failures to be hidden by new definitions.
Mike Wood
Con
Mid Derbyshire
Acknowledged the importance of measuring quality of [K life beyond GDP and highlighted that rural areas are disproportionately aff [3D [K affected by the limitations of GDP, which overlooks aspects of rural living [6D [K living that contribute to well-being.
Government Response
Torsten Bell
Government Response
Bell acknowledged that GDP is not a perfect measure but argued it remains central to understanding economic performance, especially given its strong correlations with other important factors such as health outcomes. He noted the UK's recent GDP growth and criticised previous governments for slashing public investment despite focusing on GDP growth. Bell emphasised the need for continued house building to address housing affordability issues affecting younger generations. He supported broader measures of wealth distribution and natural capital but maintained that GDP remains crucial due to its direct impact on income, business revenues, and tax bases funding public services.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.