The UK has borrowed too much money, has a massive debt - £105 billion goes on paying our debt interest

[cakeorwine]

A good visual guide from the Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2025/mar/24/visual-analysis-how-the-markets-boxed-in-rachel-reeves

But basically, the UK has had to rely on borrowing money as it spends more than it brings in.

It has borrowed money at low interest rates - but these rates have increased.

£105 billion on servicing debt interest. When you are borrowing a lot of money, even a small change in the interest level will massively increase the actual amount of money we need to pay on interest

Some context from the OBR on the budget

https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/brief-guides-and-explainers/public-finances/

Income: £1149 billlion
Spending: £1276 billion
Of which £104 billion is on interest payments
Deficit: £127 billion

We need either more income, less spending and reduced interest payments.

There are a lot less people in Sweden, so even though no lockdown they were still not crowding each other. They also don't appear to be quite so entitled, and more likely to follow suggestions to mitigate risk to others. Therefore they could take the risk of not locking down and losing too many people.

Of course lockdowns harmed the economy, as they did everywhere but really there was no alternative for places like the UK, rammed with people.

Those who were vulnerable could have chosen to stay at home whilst the rest of us got on with our lives.

Unproductive society? We’re producing enough for the richest to grow their wealth, so don’t stress.

Whatever. I live in a country where we locked down early and had comparatively few deaths - feeling grateful.

It's in the past, you need to let go and move on - it can't be changed.

I don’t agree with this. @Ggfksshas a point.

Apart from the fact thar their PM said they got it wrong. Their elderly paid the price for their choices.