Kitty Ussher

Kitty Ussher is a leading British economist and former Government Minister. She served as Member of Parliament for Burnley from 2005-2010, and held ministerial posts in the Department for Work and Pensions, and in the Treasury as Economic Secretary to the Treasury during the early phases of the global financial crisis.

Since stepping down from Parliament in 2010, Kitty Ussher has devised and managed public policy research projects, first as chief economist and director of Demos, and then on a freelance basis for some of Britain’s foremost think tanks, including the Smith Institute, the Centre for London, and the Social Market Foundation.

Prior to entering Parliament Kitty Ussher worked as an economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, an organization that provides economic research, forecasts, and analysis. She holds an MSc in Economics from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a degree in Politics and Economics from Balliol College, University of Oxford.

In 2013, Kitty Ussher founded Tooley Street Research, an independent research company which specializes in providing content for policy-related thought leadership programmes. Additionally, she is Chief Economics Advisor to Portland Communications, and a member of TheCityUK’s Independent Economists Group. An experienced and renowned economic expert, she is a regular contributor to the BBC’s Today Programme and Newsnight, where she provides expert analysis and opinion on current economic events.

An engaging and professional keynote speaker, Kitty Ussher delivers a big-picture view of the current economy as well as more sector specific talks. She is a specialist on public policy and its relation to public finances, and is well-versed in all aspects of the economy, past and present.