What’s wrong with Britain’s economy? With Sam Bowman
Nov 28, 2024
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Sam Bowman, founding editor of Works in Progress and an expert in UK economics, dives into Britain's economic struggles. He discusses how restrictive investment policies have led to stagnation, with soaring housing and energy costs compared to France and Germany. Bowman examines Brexit's impact, the challenges posed by rising energy prices on manufacturing, and the urgent need for transformative policies. He advocates for radical changes in urban planning and energy solutions to boost economic growth and infrastructure.
Britain's economic stagnation is primarily attributed to restrictions on housing investment, impeding growth and public services for over 15 years.
High energy prices coupled with inefficient infrastructure development create significant barriers to competitiveness and economic advancement in the UK.
Deep dives
Impact of Housing Investment on Economic Growth
Banning investment in housing significantly contributes to Britain's economic stagnation. Addressing the issues surrounding building houses is seen as a critical factor for economic growth, potentially lifting the economy for at least a decade. Market constraints on house building also hinder public services, making improvements more challenging. If building constraints are alleviated, the increased availability of housing would likely stimulate economic growth and innovation.
Relative Economic Performance and Unique Challenges
Britain's economic performance has lagged significantly compared to other Western nations over the last 15 years, showing about 25% less wealth than predicted trends prior to this period. Unlike the U.S. and European countries, the UK faces dual challenges: high energy prices and a constrained ability to build. At the same time, other countries have managed to grow despite their own economic issues. This unique combination of problems highlights the underlying structural weaknesses in the UK's economy.
Infrastructure Development and Cost Issues
British infrastructure development suffers from excessive costs and lengthy approval processes, limiting overall capacity. Projects like the Lower Thames Crossing exemplify the difficulties with a bureaucratic planning process that inflates costs without delivering necessary infrastructure. Local authorities' constraints, coupled with high demand for infrastructure, create significant barriers to efficient upgrades. The inefficient management results in expensive but inadequate service delivery in key areas outside of London.
The Energy Crisis and Manufacturing Challenges
Rising energy costs have severe implications for both manufacturing and the broader economy, with industrial energy prices increasing dramatically over the years. High energy prices discourage new market entrants and hamper the competitiveness of existing energy-intensive industries. Although the UK has made efforts to transition to renewable energy sources, the costs associated with this shift have hindered growth across various sectors. Addressing these energy challenges is crucial for unlocking potential in manufacturing and other energy-dependent industries.
The UK is lagging behind its peers in the Eurozone. Its per capita GDP trails that of France and Germany, and yet its housing and energy is scarcer and more expensive. A recent essay by Sam Bowman, co-authored with Ben Southwood and Samuel Hughes, argues that Britain has struggled over the past 15 years because it has “banned the investment in housing, transport and energy that it most vitally needs.” Sam Bowman is a founding editor of Works in Progress, has served as director of competition policy at the International Center for Law & Economics and as executive director of the Adam Smith Institute. Today on the show, we ask him if Britain’s failure to launch is really a failure to build.
Soumaya Keynes writes a column each week for the Financial Times. You can find it here