Although much of the optimism evident after the election already appears to have evaporated, this does not mean we should be pessimistic about the prospects for the economy. In fact, for the first time in 18 years there is no obvious handbrake on the economy.
Since 2006 the UK economy has been subject to a series of overlapping events that have held it back. They include the Global Financial Crisis (2007-09), the austerity of the coalition government (2010-15), the uncertainty and increase in trade barriers caused by Brexit (2016-19), the pandemic (2020-21) and the energy crisis (2022-23). Thrown into the mix has been all manner of political shenanigans and turmoil.
