A late, but underwhelming, Christmas gift for Chancellor Rachel Reeves has inflicted itself upon Britain as the UK economy grew by a measly 0.1% in Q4 last year.
That evens out to just under 1% for the year, compared to nearly 3% Stateside. This year is projected to be worse, at 0.75%.
Christmas spending, it seems, was critical. Although a win for Ms Reeves, the fact that the Labour Government seems to think this is positive news prompts a question: how did the UK get to the point at which 0.1% growth is a win?
With its superstar universities and research institutes, Britain should be a tech superpower, with a decent high-value manufacturing sector to match.
Instead, Britain’s indebted and overly financialised economy is bereft of its once great industrial prowess and so often prostitutes itself to the highest bidder.
Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Reeves hardly helped matters after warning last year of a tough budget to bolster public finances.
Increases to National Insurance contributions from April will likely negatively impact investment, jobs and pay packets at the worst possible time
The latest figures come before the full impact of US President Donald Trump‘s trade tariffs are felt, although the UK may escape the worst of these.
Meanwhile, the Bank of England adds to the country’s anxieties, warning of inflation jumping from 2.5 to 3.7%, just as wages flatline, further hurting the British consumer.
It offers little consolation that many other developed economies are also in the doldrums.
The UK now needs bold and radical tax and spend policies, serious research and development measures, and to capitalise on its world leading university and research networks.
If London is the joint financial capital of the world alongside New York, why isn’t more of the benefit being felt at home?
On Wednesday, Nigel Farage and Richard Tice introduced bold new energy policies on behalf of the insurgent Reform UK. More of this is needed.
There is now an open goal for even more radical economic ideas to kick Britain’s economy up the jacksie. Heaven knows the UK – with its pathetic GDP numbers – needs it.