Whether it’s a ‘productivity puzzle’ or the ‘British disease’, the UK economy has been underperforming for decades

Whether it’s a ‘productivity puzzle’ or the ‘British disease’, the UK economy has been underperforming for decades

Maridav/ShutterstockHistory does not repeat itself, but it rhymes – and economic history is no exception. In 1964, a Labour government came to power in the UK with a pledge to curb inflation and to deliver growth. The growth plans were short lived. In 2024, in a cost-of-living crisis, Labour again won an election with a promise to “kick-start economic growth”. Only 18 months in, and plans have stalled again. Weak economic growth has led to quest…