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Wellbeing Economics

For decade after decade our country has been getting richer; however, research also shows that we are no happier now than we were back in the 1950s. Although we can afford more microwave ovens, more cars and more Ipods, it often turns out that our lives are just as stressful as ever.

If we actually want to improve our quality of life, not just become wealthier, we need think again about what we value in society.

Measuring Wellbeing

The first thing we should do to improve our wellbeing is to properly measure it. Some people say that you cannot measure wellbeing; however Richard Layard's book 'Happiness: Lessons from a New Science' shows how simply asking people "on a scale of 1-10 how satisfied are you with your life as a whole" gives a surprisingly accurate assessment of their wellbeing.

More detailed measures, such as the WEMWBS (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) are already being rolled out across Scotland.

Promoting Wellbeing

The politics of wellbeing is an infant subject, but there is already evidence for a few policies that could make us happier.

One example is to extend flexible working rights. Research from Badenoch & Clark shows that people who are allowed to work flexibly are usually happier than those who cannot. Flexible working makes people's lives less stressful by allowing them to better juggle work and family commitments - for example, picking up children from school whilst holding down a full-time job.

All Party Parliamentary Group

To take the wellbeing agenda forward in Parliament, I founded and now chair the All Party Parliamentary Group on Wellbeing Economics. The group has members from all major Westminster parties and provides a forum for MPs and Lords to discuss the issues involved.

Jo's news stories on wellbeing

20/11/09 Jo delivers speech to UN conference on global economy

05/11/09 Jo joins debate on 'Prosperity Without Growth'

30/03/09 Consumerist culture is an unhappy failure

06/02/09 Depression costing economy £10bn - Swinson

23/12/08 Spending more isn't the secret of a Happy Christmas

15/09/08 Happiness a key issue in politics

04/09/09 Scotland can lead the way on happiness

04/02/08 Government must measure quality of life not just wealth

18/04/07 East Dunbartonshire tops quality of life survey: schools and communities key to success

10/07/06 Ministerial commitment over investment in depression therapies welcome - Swinson

External News Articles

30/08/09 Commuters spend as much time travelling as holidaying (Daily Telegraph)

16/06/09 Depression costs economy £8.6bn a year (The Independent)

09/10/08 Crunch time for happy talk (BBC News)

09/08/08 Be happy, Olympians. Aim low (The Guardian, Comment is Free)