Mastodawn

During #AngelaMerkel’s 16y as chancellor, the controversial debt
brake was passed, contributing to #underinvestment in defense,
transport and education. She also deepened Germany’s reliance on
cheap Russian energy - chart @economics https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-12-15/germany-is-unraveling-and-the-decline-threatens-to-become-irreversible?srnd=homepage-europe

High energy costs and slumping exports have made German households €2,500 poorer and the decline threatens to become irreversible.

Bloomberg

(letter) #underinvestment is a central cause of the UK#s poor economics performance, chart @MazzucatoM @sjwrenlewis @jdportes and others @FT https://www.ft.com/content/a8fcf263-8506-4b1c-aace-3d3d1743dc55

#UK given stark warning over ‘negligible’ #AirDefenceSystems

Exclusive: Key defence contractor says UK’s capabilities are ‘very limited’ as a result of long-term under-investment

The Guardian

Thames Water under threat of nationalisation as shareholders refuse to inject £500m lifeline | The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thames-water-shareholders-funding-london-b2519896.html

A rescue funding plan was drawn up in July but has fallen through ahead of the first payment

The Independent

Half of #GP #clinics picking and choosing which #patients to enrol; "What this is really underlining is the #underinvestment in primary care, which we know is having a knock-on effect on #hospital-level care." https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511150/half-of-gp-clinics-picking-and-choosing-which-patients-to-enrol

About half of all GP clinics are picking and choosing or "cream-skimming" which patients to enrol, new research has found.

RNZ

The decades of #underinvestment have caught up with growing #chocolate demand. For the 3rd consecutive crop season, global consumption in 2023- 24 will meaningfully surpass production – something unseen since the early 1960s, chart @JavierBlas https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-02-19/the-bittersweet-truth-behind-surging-chocolate-prices

Decades of non-investment are coming home to roost.

Bloomberg

"A recent paper by the #LSE found that £26bn a year of #publicinvestment would generate #privatesectorinvestment of about twice as much again, & quickly pay off in the form of #jobs & #growth.
#Taxcuts, by contrast, would provide less #stimulus as the main constraints on the #UKeconomy are poor #infrastructure & #underinvestment, the #economists found."

Party’s pledge to invest in a low-carbon economy looks to be at risk amid nervousness over making spending commitments

The Guardian

Next government should declare NHS a national emergency, experts warn

Leading doctors and NHS leaders say underinvestment, staff shortages and ageing population pose ‘existential threat’ to service

The Guardian

Methinks, with the dreadful state of the #roads in the #UK, in particular the #Pothole issue, high on the #public agenda right now, time to revisit this #classic I photographed in my #village back in May 2019. #Tory #Britain #Underinvestment in #Infrastructure #Transport Might be a broader #political message being conveyed here? Not sure 🤔