Decades of underfunding for road maintenance and increases in road traffic mean that potholes are becoming ever more common. The RAC have attended 63% more pothole-related breakdowns so far this year when compared to the same period last year.
The increase in life expectancy in the UK is the slowest in Europe - in tandem with a reduction in spending on adult social care and only a minimal increase to NHS funding, while the number of over-65s grew by 17%.
The UK trade deficit grew to £5.6 billion - a record - even though the weak pound favours our exporters and punishes importers. Despite the rise in prices people are not reducing their purchases of imported products.
Meanwhile the IMF predicts a global economic boom - but they say that the UK will miss out on it due to the inflationary effect of the pound's precipitous fall. They forecast growth of 1.5% for the UK compared to 3.7% for the rest of the world.
The IMF prediction is based on a controlled rise in rates and a successful Brexit negotiation. An abrupt rate rise or a lack of an agreement could cause a lot more trouble.
Britain needs to get back to earning its keep. Mrs May has to get tough with her backbenchers and sort out Brexit as soon as possible. She needs to face up to the Brextremist headbangers who want to do a runner, default on our debts and hope to set up trade deals while the bailiffs are banging on our front door.
It is going to be rough for a while, we need all the friends we can get.
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