Public economics careers span policy analysis, data, forecasting, evaluation and the communication of evidence across government. Alison Kilburn’s appointment as Joint Head of the Government Economic Service alongside Professor Brian Bell provides a useful example of how varied a senior public-sector economics career can be.
Public economics careers can cross departments and disciplines
The Government Economic Service announced Kilburn’s appointment in June 2026. Her career has included senior analysis, strategy and policy roles across government, including work in science and technology, digital policy, business and the Treasury.
That range matters for people considering public economics because economists in government rarely work only on abstract theory. They may analyse labour markets, innovation, regulation, public spending, productivity or sector policy, often alongside statisticians, social researchers, operational teams and ministers.
What the Government Economic Service does
The GES is the professional body for economists in the UK Civil Service. Its members work across government departments and agencies, providing economic analysis for public policy and supporting professional standards and development.
British Careers has also examined Government Economic Service careers under Brian Bell, which gives more detail on the wider profession and the skills economists use in government.
Which skills matter in public economics
Quantitative ability is important, but public economists also need to frame policy questions, evaluate evidence, explain uncertainty and write clearly for people who are not economists. The work often requires balancing technical rigour with the practical constraints of policy implementation.
Career progression can also reward breadth. Experience across departments or policy areas can help economists understand how evidence is used in different institutional settings and how economic analysis interacts with political, legal and operational decisions.
Routes into government economics
Entry routes include graduate and student schemes as well as recruitment for experienced economists. Candidates should expect employers to look for economic reasoning, analytical skills and the ability to communicate findings rather than simply knowledge of current affairs.
For people attracted to economics because they want to work on real public problems, the GES illustrates a career path where technical analysis can influence decisions across a wide range of government activity.
