Economic Diagnosis of Britain's Challenges

Britain's economic difficulties are diagnosed as stemming from two principal issues: the inequality of the 1980s and the stagnation of the 2010s. Inequality surged in the 1980s, leading to a long-standing divide where the country is now one of the most unequal in Europe, with concerns exacerbating when wage growth halted in the 2010s. This combination creates a situation where low and middle-income families feel increasingly disadvantaged, as their economic conditions do not improve while some individuals amass greater wealth. The sentiment is such that without growing the economic 'pie,' the disparity in wealth distribution becomes more troubling, particularly for those already struggling financially, as evidenced by the significant portion of teenagers skipping meals for economic reasons.