I would like to return to the topic, Sue. Wes Streeting, speaking at a Labour's Progress conference, described Brexit as a 'catastrophic mistake' which has left the UK 'less wealthy, less powerful and less in control than at any point before the industrial revolution'. As Tim Wallace, Deputy Economics Editor of the 'Telegraph' pointed out, this is really silly stuff. Not only are Britons astronomically richer than they were in the pre-industrial age, they are richer than ten years ago. Official data show that household wealth, adjusted for inflation, increased by £23k between 2014 and 2022. The British economy has not grown much since the Referendum but neither have those on the Continent. According to the OECD Britain's economy has grown by 13%, well behind the USA at 27% and Canada at 22%, but slightly ahead of France, significantly ahead of Italy and twice as fast as Germany. The IMF expects to grow by 1% this year, slower than the USA or Canada, but faster than the rest of the G7. Even as regards exports, Britain's performance has been robust, achieving greater sales growth than any other G7 nation except Canada. Exports of services have been particularly strong. Sales to the EU have doubled since Brexit. The only area of decline have been in those forms exporting goods across the Channel with higher border costs and divergent regulations.It is domestic policies which are responsible for Britain's economic problems, notably the rise in the minimum wage and Rachel Reeves' £25 billion NI tax raid on employers, which have slowed growth and increased youth unemployment.It is interesting that Andy Burnham has now rowed back on his earlier statement about wishing to rejoin the EU, fearful of upsetting the Makerfield electorate who voted heavily for Brexit.It
Steven Rose ● 15d