The Demographic Time-bomb

In common with many other developed countries, the UK’s birth-rate has been falling for some time, and now stands at around 1.5 children per woman, far below the so-called ‘replacement’ rate of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population profile. If this decline is not turned around soon, there will eventually be too few working-age tax-payers to fund the ever-growing number of older people requiring costly medical and social care (let alone the workforce to provide this care). Several potential solutions have been suggested, both fiscal and societal, but most of them are either expensive, controversial, or both. So, at this month’s meeting, we’ll look at the various options, and – who knows – maybe we’ll even come up with some novel ideas of our own for the Chancellor to consider as she prepares her upcoming Budget!

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