UK's decline linked to government overreach and welfare dependency

The United Kingdom's decline is attributed to excessive government interference and a welfare system that fosters entitlement, according to a commentary. The piece argues that subsidies and regulatory pressures stifle growth, contrasting the UK's deteriorating infrastructure—roads, utilities, and public services—with China's rapid improvements over the past three decades. Former Labour minister Alan Milburn notes that government spending on benefits for young people exceeds that on job assistance. The article invokes John F. Kennedy's 1961 call for civic duty, suggesting welfare erodes such sentiment. It criticizes overregulation and advocates for supply-side economics, while acknowledging the need for welfare for the young, elderly, sick, and disabled. The commentary is published by the South China Morning Post.