The UK is a Warning to the Rest of the World

The UK's economic stagnation since 2008 is attributed to compounding errors, contrasting with its historical global dominance. Britain's productivity puzzle stems from under-investment in capital, infrastructure, and R&D, exemplified by fewer mass transit systems compared to France and complex planning regulations. Punitive tax policies discourage additional work, leading skilled professionals to opt out, while post-Brexit migration policies have created labor market rigidities. The graduate premium has collapsed, and a million young people are NEET (Neither in Education, Employment nor Training), signaling a lost generation. Over-reliance on property as an investment, high energy costs, and the triple lock on pensions exacerbate wealth transfer from young to old, resulting in a zero-sum economy and emigration.