Common Wealth warns UK misses infrastructure investment opportunities

Common Wealth: Common Wealth is a UK-based think tank founded in 2019 that designs ownership models for a democratic and sustainable economy, working with policymakers and grassroots groups on issues including public services and economic institutions. It is a left-of-center organization focused on transforming how assets like energy, housing, and utilities are owned to address insecurity and promote shared prosperity. In the current news, the think tank released a paper arguing that Britain's rigid national accounting rules prevent arms-length government bodies from borrowing independently, missing opportunities for infrastructure investment and making the UK an outlier compared to European systems. Accounting Rules: Britain's national accounting practices treat borrowing by public corporations as part of overall public debt, unlike systems used across much of Europe that allow greater flexibility for capital spending. Infrastructure Policy: The think tank highlights how relaxing these rules could support entities like GB Energy in raising funds for urgent infrastructure needs without adding to the UK's self-imposed limitations as an international outlier.