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The State of Britain

The UK's economy, trade and investment

Peter Foster talks to politicians, policymakers and businesses about the UK’s search for growth, productivity and its place in a changing world. 

Sign up to the newsletter here

  • Thursday, 3 July, 2025
    UK agriculture
    On top of extreme weather, farmers are starved of clear policy direction Premium content

    Plus, Keir Starmer launches NHS reform programme

    Groundswell agriculture festival in Hertfordshire
  • Thursday, 26 June, 2025
    Science
    Science’s pushmi-pullyu dilemma Premium content

    Spending on defence and technology welcomed but aid cuts hurt health research

    The pushmi-pullyu from author Hugh Lofting’s Doctor Dolittle
  • Thursday, 19 June, 2025
    UK politics
    The value for money crisis at UK universities Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, Labour’s plan to revive bus services

    Students sitting on steps at University College London
  • Thursday, 12 June, 2025
    UK government spending
    Reeves’ spending plans meet reality of ageing population Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, funding for new houses is not what it seems

    Rachel Reeves outside 11 Downing Street
  • Thursday, 5 June, 2025
    UK energy
    Doubts grow over pace of Britain’s clean power push Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, growing fears of steel imports ‘flooding’ the country

    A ship passes some wind turbines
  • Thursday, 29 May, 2025
    UK local government finance
    Reform UK inherits a financial firestorm in English councils Premium content

    Party faces familiar problem of finding large-scale savings while avoiding unpopular choices

    Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during the party’s campaign launch rally in Birmingham in March
  • Thursday, 22 May, 2025
    Media
    UK’s creative economy desperately needs a champion Premium content

    Ministers should support flourishing industries through AI shifts, not let tech companies continue to suck up value

    Music creators and politicians take part in a protest in London, calling on the Government to ditch plans to allow AI tech companies to steal their work without payment or permission
  • Thursday, 15 May, 2025
    UK immigration
    The ambiguity of the UK’s immigration plans Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, changes to ONS’s employment survey yield results

    Keir Starmer standing at a lectern
  • Thursday, 8 May, 2025
    John Swinney
    How John Swinney revived the SNP in Scotland Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, Budget restores spending on affordable housing

    SNP leader John Swinney stands at a lectern with supporters behind him
  • Thursday, 1 May, 2025
    UK
    Post-Brexit UK: stuck between an unreliable US and a mercantilist EU Premium content

    After five years as State of Britain newsletter writer Peter Foster reflects on the UK’s position in the world

    A polling station in Runcorn, north-west England
  • Thursday, 24 April, 2025
    UK defence industry
    Trump’s return draws UK and EU closer on defence Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, UK steel production plunges

    The undercarriage of a combat aircraft
  • Thursday, 17 April, 2025
    UK politics
    Some good news for Northern Ireland Premium content

    Plus, the Troubles cast a long shadow over education

    Northern Ireland secretary of state Hilary Benn addresses the media after a visit to St. George’s market on July 7 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Thursday, 10 April, 2025
    UK politics
    Cutting NHS costs is not cheap Premium content

    Health experts predict redundancies across the health service will cost £1bn

    An ambulance outside a hospital
  • Thursday, 3 April, 2025
    Rail
    Need more joined up thinking on the north Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, regional disparities in the government’s ‘growth spending’

    Mersyside’s mayor Steve Rotheram (left) and his Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham sitting side-by-side on a train in 2016
  • Thursday, 27 March, 2025
    Newsletter
    The curse of tactical government

    Also in this week’s newsletter, more Britons think France is more likely than America to come to UK’s military aid

    The chancellor carrying the Spring Statement
  • Thursday, 20 March, 2025
    Banks
    Relaxing regulations on banks comes with risk Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, financial sector fines fall to decade low

  • Thursday, 13 March, 2025
    Newsletter
    Identifying and removing the UK’s growth blockers Premium content

    Also in this newsletter, why the number of hotels housing asylum seekers is creeping up

    Keir Starmer
  • Thursday, 6 March, 2025
    UK economy
    Cutting FE college funding is not how you tackle the skills shortage Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, a glimmer of hope for the higher education sector

    Two car mechanic students working in a garage at a further education college
  • Thursday, 27 February, 2025
    UK economy
    How Starmer can tread the Trump tightrope Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, delivering the skills needed to power an infrastructure boom

    Keir Starmer speaks during a welcome reception at the UK ambassador’s residence
  • Thursday, 20 February, 2025
    Newsletter
    The NHS has a junior doctor problem Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, exports down by a fifth on pre-pandemic levels

    Young doctors and supporters hold placards as they gather outside St Thomas’ hospital at the start of their 6-day strike over pay
  • Thursday, 13 February, 2025
    UK economy
    Labour needs a growth plan for the north Premium content

    Plus, the ‘multiplier’ effect of the BBC’s move to Salford

    A Flybe plane takes off from Manchester Airport
  • Thursday, 6 February, 2025
    UK economy
    Ideas on how to tackle the staggering rise in the UK benefits bill Premium content

    Also in this newsletter, digital skills “passports” for the construction industry

    Liz Kendall
  • Thursday, 30 January, 2025
    Brexit
    The contradictions at the heart of Rachel Reeves’ growth plan Premium content

    Red lines hobble the chancellor’s ambitions

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves
  • Thursday, 23 January, 2025
    Brexit
    The UK begins to shift the narrative on growth Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter: why exports are the drivers of economic expansion

    Marcus Bokkerink
  • Thursday, 16 January, 2025
    Newsletter
    Starmer must be braver when it comes to growth Premium content

    Also in this week’s newsletter, the destabilising dynamics of Trump’s trade policies

    Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech on AI
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