The New Statesman: politics and culture The US has bought Britain
Sep 19, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Andrew Marr, a prominent broadcaster and political commentator, dives into the implications of a massive £150bn US investment in the UK. He explores the historical ties between the two nations and the potential cost of this growing dependency. The conversation highlights American tech's influence on British institutions and the pressures on local infrastructure, including job cuts and tax revenue losses. With insights on how investment may reshape Britain, Marr and his co-host Will Dunn leave listeners questioning the real impact of this American influx.
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UK Pursues US Tech From Weakness
- Britain is pursuing US tech and investment from a position of economic and political weakness.
- Andrew Marr warns this yields dependency rather than strategic strength.
Scrutinize Big FDI Totals
- Treat headline FDI numbers skeptically because private equity deals often buy existing firms rather than create new productive capacity.
- Consider the likely job losses from buyouts and short-term profit extraction before celebrating investment totals.
Southern Cross As A Warning
- Will Dunn recalls Blackstone's acquisition of Southern Cross and its later collapse as an example of private equity harms.
- He links that case to job losses and poor outcomes for service users.