“The fact is nobody really knows what the future will bring.”
That’s most certainly true, Khandro. But we need to take a stab at it in order to make some provisions. One thing I think we can be assured of and that is that the projection will almost certainly prove to be wrong (almost all such forecasts are). However, more importantly, unless this country’s policies change and change urgently, the ONS projection will not only be wrong, it will almost certainly be an under-estimate.
Almost all the reaction to this announcement (especially Mikey’s :-) ) seems to revolve around accommodating such an increase. “Build more ‘affordable’ homes”; “train up thousands of bricklayers and carpenters” (though I note there is no mention of doctors, nurses or teachers). The UK (or indeed the world) cannot continue with an ever increasing population. It’s utter madness. Governments need to develop economic models which will cope with, at worst, a level population and preferably one that is in slight decline.
Another interesting aspect of the debate is this: