Why are we on a steady downward decline

[Neverknowno]

What is the root cause of the UK’s downward slide? What is behind the low productivity?

Is it because we do not tax high earners enough to fund public services? Or are our taxes too high?

Is it because of the increasing number of the workforce going permanently off ill?

Yes, I work in the sector.

What is happening in schools since 2010 is not what I was talking about, my point is since the war we have educated people more. Overall the population is way more educated now than it was 50 years ago.

Yes you have a point, downhill for Scotland just comparatively

What is actually happening is the countries who didn't engage in austerity post 2010 will be improving faster. A falling League table position does not mean you are educating less, it can mean your peer countries have overtaken you.

Overall, we educate more people for longer.

If you look at how uneducated the 18+ population was in 1960 compared to now, the change is huge - and unless we see university cuts that trend will continue on the same path.

Complicated but essentially Brexit has totally buggered up any desire by most multinationals to invest. Why would you? Unless you have a product or service with a huge uk specific market or are a UK retailer you would be better investing within the EU and easy access to 29 markets and the staff - - plus the EU whilst not having formal trade deals have overarching terms of favourable trade with places like the USA .

As well as it being unfavourable here- we now have shortages of staff in many sectors- due to EU nationals going elsewhere and a fair few highly qualified Brits leaving too as well as many sector specific agencies.

In addition we have an aging population, a lot of people who are quite happy to do bugger all and simply get by and also a lot of chronic illness , partly due to an NHS that is underfunded in the right areas, understaffed in clinical areas and generally overburdened. But also partly because like the USA we have huge sections of society that simply don't value health and well being. People joke about being pissed as if it's some kind of an achievement (and I like a drink - I'm not talking about average levels )

I missed off of course the Tory's - who seem determined only to appease the over70s and also that sector of society (of all ages) that forever has rose tinted glasses that somehow taking things backwards will improve things. It is an extremely regressive government with no sense of future planning- far too dominated as well by those who still have a bit of a 'raj' mentality- you know the Britain holds all the cards kind of thing- no it doesn't- it holds few. The UK actually does have a lot going for it but not with these corrupt clowns at the helm

Given up about thinking or investing in the future or the young, prioritizing pensioners, becoming a dusty museum.

I hate it. It's all wrong. If you are a pensioner you've literally had your whole life to get things good for yourself. And had many good years.

But we can't afford to pay the teachers of our children apparently. Societies like this decline because of this stupidity. I'll be voting for any party that prioritizes and supports those under 25.

I agree we have a regressive government

Which high earners can retire at 50? The state pension age is going up and if you withdraw your pension from private pensions before the state pension age, you will be hit with Hugh taxes.

What is your idea of high earners and how prevalent is retiring at 50? Many people only enter the high earning bracket in their 40s and 50s.

*High taxes not Hugh taxes

Hugh Grant?

Because we have lower automation than many countries in Europe, so more people employed to achieve the same outcome .So productivity per capita is lower ( but so is unemployment).

Anyone with a private pension can claim at 55/57. Nearly every 60/70yr old I know “retired” from their 40-hour-week career at 55, and then got a job with less responsibilities until they can claim state pension. As a teacher, I can claim my pension at 57, and then take on a part time job as a TA. Having a professional qualification and a good job allows me to do that. As an average earner, I have those options. Many low wage people don’t and rather than thinking ahead to retirement etc, they are just focused on what money they are getting this month and if they have enough to pay this months bills.
paying people higher wages won’t necessarily increase prices if the gov lowered corporation tax. Companies are taxed by the gov and then the gov give it to their workers, paying a lot in administration to do so. Would be better value if the workers just got it directly.

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-net-migration-rose-504000-year-june-2022-data-2022-11-24/

You may be able to claim it early but you will pay a penalty.

I do not know many people who are retiring at 55. In today’s world some people would still have large mortgages to pay. Some people highest earning years are in their late 40s and early 50s. Not many would have a generous pension pot to allow them to retire and have a comfortable life given the rise in the cost of living.

The civil service pension is generous but even it won’t allow you to retire early anymore without a penalty.

Nevertheless, we digress.

Inequality and the return of a hereditary class system, that’s why.

A knowledge-based economy, dependent on skills and learned ability, is simply not compatible in any way with a society based on social connection.

Plus there’s no point in working hard when you can smarm up to someone for the high paying job, nor when you get no reward for working hard.

Yes I agree. Dh is a Doctor and at 56 is pretty much burnt out, especially after 13 years underfunding of the NHS. But he won’t be able to retire for probably another 8 years or so.

When I look at the future, it's the self-loathing that worries me. I just don't see how a country can survive, let alone flourish, when it's inhabited by people who hate it. I blame the Left for this (I'm a moderate centrist btw). They pretty much dominate the media, along with the universities, publishing and the arts, and they use their power ruthlessly.

😂😂

I blame the right. Daily Mail, The Express and Sun. The media is dominated by Murdoch. The country hates its current government not itself.

This is just not how I see it at all.

I read a quote the other day, about how the right will struggle because of they keep saying how much they don't like modern Britain don't be surprised if modern Britain doesn't like them in return.

The current government hates Britain, hates British people. To them we're workshy, lazy. They hate our kids. They hate anyone anti-racist and they hate anyone who wants to improve anything.

Factually, the right has been in power for 13 years.

I'm sorry Janey - the left wing do not dominate the media- most of the mainstream press is right wing and these days the BBCfar more 'not lefty' than it has ever been- a lot of people hating it is not suprising.

That is nonsense.

Thank you. I absolutely agree.

I think the media is more divisive.
I was listening briefly (turned off) to the fri night comedy on Radio 4 - Sunak hahahah, braverman hahaha, some other scathing non-hilarious comment about the Tories. The Scottish voice annoyed me as we are in a mess and need to stop blaming others.
It's very divisive - and constant harping about Brexit ( if anyone can remember that far back OVER half the population voted in favour) and who's to blame - please move on. And constant support and mention of the SNP (who after all only want what's best for Scotland yeah right) when actually just over half the population voted against independence (and the situation has barely changed) but you wouldn't think so - you'd thin 99% of Scottish voters are pleading for independence. And are rightly angry they don't have it. Bollox.

Stop giving voice to whingeing Twitter ranters.
There's a hell of a lot of interesting and important stuff going on in the world but - hey lets just concentrate on Philip Schofield or some other bleating self righteous moaner.

I like the 6.15 business news on Radio 4.
Politics live on BBC 2 presented by Jo Coburn
The Rest is politics with Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell is good.
Al Jezeera.

I agree it’s hard but important to find more balanced commentary.

I do like the BBC and listen to it often but it has its issues, it is countered by DM etc

I’m looking for information not divisive stuff