U OK, UK?
Summary
This episode examines the UK’s persistent low economic growth, which experts attribute to Brexit, austerity, and underinvestment. Reporter Ilya Merritts contrasts London’s wealth with stagnation in places like Sunderland, where income growth has stalled since 2008. Helen Miller of the Institute for Fiscal Studies argues that the crisis is about productivity, not just costs, requiring complex long-term reforms rather than quick political fixes.
Topics discussed
Introduction: UK economic struggles and political instability
Sponsors: Edward Jones, BetterHelp, and NPR Tiny Desk
Expert analysis: Low growth as the root cause
Causes of stagnation: Brexit, austerity, and inequality
Field report: Life and economy in Sunderland
Stalled income growth and the cost of living crisis
Policy solutions and the challenge of political turnover
Credits and promotions for other NPR shows
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