Why we can no longer worship at GDP’s altar | Letters

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas argues that we need a new measure of success and wellbeing, while Ian McCalman says the productivity debate focuses too much on manufacturing

Larry Elliott (Opinion, 30 November) is absolutely right to question a fixation on growth at all costs. We know that infinite economic growth simply isn't compatible with a planet of finite resources, and we also know that the treatment of environmental concerns as "externalities" in pursuit of never-ending GDP increases is incredibly damaging. So if we know that growth is environmentally damaging, and not a guarantee of increased wellbeing, how do we shift our focus towards a new measure of a good society?

We need a new set of indicators that better reflect genuine wellbeing. For a start I would suggest we should aim to share out paid work more widely and evenly, and increase the amount of positive leisure time people have, giving them more choice about time with their communities, friends and family. The Green party's calls for a shorter working week are often attacked as being anti-growth, but that misses the point of policymaking that should surely be to serve people rather than worship at the altar of GDP.

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