I’m part of the ‘jilted generation’ – so why do I think things are better than ever?

Having been born in 1983, I am a part of Ed Howker’s ‘jilted generation’.  I think it is quite reasonable for him to argue that governments of all parties have made choices which do not reflect our interests, or those of future generations.

They have increased public spending, which will reduce medium term growth and diminish our future earnings; they have borrowed eye-watering amounts of money which we will have to pay back; they have taken far too long to undertake vital reforms like putting in place a reasonable schedule of increases in the pension age. More young people think that the moon landings were faked than think that the Government will be able to provide the same level of benefits available today when they retire.

Does Ed think our parents couldn’t have made similar complaints?

In the 1970s, Britain had experienced decades of relative economic decline. Large parts of British industry were hopelessly uncompetitive.