Economic Growth Trends - The UK economy is experiencing a significant slowdown, with a second-quarter growth rate of only 0.3%, down from 0.7% in the first quarter [2] - In June, the economy grew by 0.4%, but prior months saw a contraction of 0.1% [2] Shifts in Growth Drivers - The growth drivers have shifted from private consumption to government spending, with government expenditure increasing by 1.2% in the second quarter [3] - In contrast, business investment fell by 4.0% and consumer spending only grew by 0.1% during the same period [3] Government Spending and Defense Investments - The UK government is increasingly reliant on public spending to drive economic growth, with a commitment to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and potentially to 3% over the next decade [4] - A £250 million investment in military and security industries across various cities is expected to boost local economies and employment [4] Fiscal Vulnerability - The expansion of public spending has led to a precarious fiscal situation, with public borrowing reaching £60 billion, an increase of £6.7 billion from the previous year [5] - The net debt-to-GDP ratio stands at 96.1%, up by 0.5 percentage points from the previous year [5] Rising Borrowing Costs - The UK faces the highest borrowing costs among major economies, with 30-year government bond yields hitting their highest level since 1998 [5] - The government may need to issue more bonds to sustain public spending, leading to further increases in bond yields [5] Economic Policy Challenges - The government has attempted to address fiscal pressures by proposing welfare cuts, but these plans were ultimately scrapped due to opposition [8] - The upcoming autumn budget is critical, as the government may need to raise taxes to meet fiscal stability rules, which could further hinder economic growth [9] Long-term Economic Outlook - The UK economy has been in a low-growth state for several years, and the current tax policies may exacerbate this trend [10] - The rise of reformist parties indicates a potential shift in economic strategy to break the cycle of low growth [10]