Real household disposable incomes have barely increased under Starmer’s government.

According to the ONS, they rose to £6,577 per person in the second quarter of 2024, but this was mainly driven by higher social benefits, including pensions and welfare payments. Rising wages, meanwhile, had little impact on the figure.

At the same time, the UK economy grew by 0.5% in the second quarter, above the previous estimate of 0.4%. However, growth for 2025 as a whole was revised down from 1.3% to 1.2%.

It seems Britain is a country increasingly reliant on benefits, funded by those who work tirelessly to keep the economy going. But what about supporting the people who keep the whole system afloat? You don't have to imagine what would happen to the economy if this system were suddenly suspended. This is the price of excessive generosity.