The United Kingdom’s economy contracts at the end of 2023, with significant sectors including homelessness, health, and international economics also facing critical scrutiny.
The United Kingdom entered a recession at the close of 2023, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) saw a decline of 0.3% between October and December of 2023, following a stagnation in the economy from July to September of the same year. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has acknowledged the economic challenges but remains optimistic about the government’s economic strategies. In contrast, Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves criticized the government’s approach, highlighting the negative impact of the recession. The ONS also documented a 0.7% shrinkage in GDP per person for 2023, with minor improvements noted in January driven by the services sector.
Additionally, the ONS decided to continue reporting the deaths of homeless individuals in England and Wales after initially proposing to halt this practice. The decision was reversed following criticism from campaigners who stressed the importance of these statistics in addressing homelessness. The most recent data from 2021 showed 741 homeless deaths, underscoring the ongoing issue of homelessness and its fatal consequences.
In health-related statistics, the ONS reported a decline in healthy life expectancy for babies born in England between 2020 and 2022, attributing this trend to the Covid-19 pandemic. Efforts to improve life and health expectancy are part of the Department for Health and Social Care’s objectives, aiming to address disparities and improve health outcomes across different regions of England.
On the international front, economic research institutes in Germany have significantly lowered their growth forecasts for the country, citing poor export performance and sluggish domestic demand. The situation is compounded by high energy prices and structural challenges, with a modest growth prediction of 0.1% for the year.
Finally, the ONS revealed an increase in same-sex marriages in England and Wales since legalization in 2014, with around 167,000 individuals currently in such unions. The figures showcase a growing acceptance of same-sex marriages across the UK, despite a temporary decrease in ceremonies due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Similar trends have been observed in Scotland and Northern Ireland, reflecting broader progress in LGBTQ+ rights and societal acceptance.
