“Productivity is the challenge of our time. It is what makes nations stronger, and families richer.” This first line of the Productivity Plan unveiled by the Government last Friday demonstrates why it was, in effect, the second half of the Budget outlined by the Chancellor last Wednesday. In our previous Economic Bulletin, we highlighted OBR figures which demonstrated the importance of improving productivity with respect to deficit reduction, GDP growth and living standards. Whilst it is welcome that the Government is now taking seriously the need to raise Britain’s poor productivity, the reforms announced in the Budget and the Productivity Plan are only the first steps to restoring productivity growth.