Can the UK escape its own mind trap?
I returned to the UK last August. In the five months I've been based here, I would describe the mood as bleak.
Entering into 2025, I set about trying to understand why. Is the economy really as bad as what I see, read and hear? What promise do the years ahead hold?
I set-up Humans In The Machine as a UK company - albeit servicing businesses anywhere in the world. As globalisation sputters, the UK is my home country so it’s a sensible option and remains a powerful force for talented people and innovation, ranked fifth in the latest Global Innovation Index.
I moved to the UK via Southeast Asia and Greece; the difference in attitude has been marked between poorer Asian nations where citizens feel they have everything to gain, to wealthier European nations where citizens feel they are losing everything.
This attitude problem is worsened by partisan press coverage, political obfuscation and irresponsible influencers chasing clout - Broken Britain! Broken society! Financially broke! Filthily rich! Civil war imminent…yada yada yada. Give it break, ffs.
I was finding it all very discouraging.
One weekend I decided to dig into the data and try to put the UK's situation into context, to split apart the real issues from the symptoms. The problem is always that people feel symptoms keenly and seek immediate relief, especially if they are negative.
I compared the UK on ten macro-economic data points covering the world's top 30 economies by GDP. You view the report here: google drive link
I'm not an economist, the point of the exercise was to highlight the extent of data available, cite it properly instead of making vague claims, to increase context and go beyond the bleak. News and influencers usually focus on one topic with selective comparisons to suit their angle.
Based on global competitiveness in context, the UK’s big three issues are:
Government debt,
Consistent productivity growth,
Housing scarcity.
Data shows that income inequality, net migration and ageing populations are not going to make the biggest difference, but they pose the biggest immediate risk.
I want help contribute to the nation's productivity puzzle. My business is in the awkward "help me to help you phase". There is a lot of UK support for new startups, there seem to be relatively few communities or ecosystems. For anyone more progressed in their startup journey, please get in touch if you have any insight you’re willing to share!
I chose enthusiasm for a brand promise, because it is a universal energy and motivation, regardless of whether you're more optimistic or pessimistic by nature. Spending time with the evidence re-ignited my enthusiasm for the UK and the work ahead.
When it comes to actively pressing industry leaders and politicians on what must be solved in the long-term, that is also now clear.
The UK is home to a dizzying variety of sectors in which it is leading and globally competitive, we mustn’t forget that.
The UK must re-ignite its enthusiasm.