Politicians keep telling us the economy is improving. GDP is growing. Inflation is falling. So why does it still feel like we’re getting poorer?

In this episode of Mouthy Money, we dig into the widening gap between headline economic data and everyday reality. Polling expert Scarlett Maguire, founder of Merlin Strategy, explains why voters don’t associate economic growth with improvements in their own lives - and why energy bills, housing costs, food prices and tax matter far more than GDP figures.

We explore why anger at regulators and utility companies is rising, why demands for direct Government intervention are growing and how this disconnect is fuelling political instability on both the left and the right.

Even if growth returns, will people actually feel better off?

*Chapters*

00:00 GDP Growth vs Cost of Living Crisis (UK Economy Explained)

01:15 Who Is Scarlett Maguire? Political Polling & Economic Research

02:10 Why UK Voters Don’t Care About GDP Growth

04:30 What “Cost of Living” Really Means (Housing, Energy, Food, Tax)

07:20 Inflation Falling – Why Prices Still Feel High

09:05 Has the Pandemic Made Britain Poorer?12:40 Economic Anxiety and the Rise of Populism

15:10 The Misery Index: Inflation + Unemployment Explained

17:45 Why UK Energy Bills Are So High

20:50 Ofgem, Price Caps and Energy Market Regulation

23:35 Should the Government Cut Energy Bills?

25:15 Why Brits Don’t Invest (Savings, Pensions, Risk)

28:05 Are We Heading for UK Economic Recovery?

31:00 Youth Unemployment and the Housing Crisis

33:30 What Happens If Growth Returns – Will Voters Feel It?

MOUTHY MONEY

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