Skip to main content
The riddle of omissions that ultimately subvert the credibility of core arguments
book cover

The elephant in the room: why UK living standards may be lower in 2030 than they were in 2019 or even 2007 and what we can do to stop this happening
by John Mills
Civitas £10

The virus crisis has taught us that we need to move towards greater self-sufficiency — or would we rather continue to depend on China for personal protective equipment, for 5G communications and for nuclear power stations?
 
We have deindustrialised more than any comparable country, damaging jobs, regional balance and productivity.

The share of our GDP coming from manufacturing has fallen from a third in 1970 to less than a tenth now. We invest a falling share of GDP in machinery and equipment — only 2.8 per cent, down from 3.6 per cent in 2008.

Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
hooke
Books / 13 March 2025
13 March 2025
WILL PODMORE recommends an excellent and useful introduction to a lesser-known giant of the scientific revolution in Britain
islamesque
Books / 5 February 2025
5 February 2025
WILL PODMORE is enthralled by the convincing case that guilds of Islamic craftsmen were responsible for the European gothic style
born
Books / 5 January 2025
5 January 2025
WILL PODMORE is intrigued by a study the British ruling class that follows statistical analysis with totally inadequate proposals for change
rail
Books / 6 December 2024
6 December 2024
WILL PODMORE welcomes a demonstration of the incomparable virtues of rail travel, and the political obstacles to realising its potential 
Similar stories
Rachel Reeves
Features / 22 February 2025
22 February 2025
In his first of a new monthly economics column MICHAEL BURKE argues that public-sector investment is more effective, more productive than private-sector investment
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves during a visit to
Britain / 15 November 2024
15 November 2024
torsten
Books / 27 September 2024
27 September 2024
Where is the political programme for a plausible project of renewing Britain through public investment, asks WILL PODMORE
endgame
Books / 5 September 2024
5 September 2024
WILL PODMORE is intrigued by an analysis of capital that emphasises the deadening impact of financialisation on the US and UK economies