Chart of the week: A lag in our R&D spending

<p>Productivity growth is falling around the world, but the slowdown is more acute in the UK. This deceleration could be lessened – and even reversed – by investment in research and development (R&amp;D), which kick-starts new technologies and, ultimately, increases growth and productivity. However, the UK’s spending in this area is falling behind other developed economies at a time when we need to be leading the way.</p>
1 March 2019

Productivity growth is falling around the world, but the slowdown is more acute in the UK. This deceleration could be lessened – and even reversed – by investment in research and development (R&D), which kick-starts new technologies and, ultimately, increases growth and productivity. However, the UK’s spending in this area is falling behind other developed economies at a time when we need to be leading the way. Edward Smith, Rathbones’ head of asset allocation research, discussed his concerns about R&D spending and considered the UK’s economic future post Brexit at our annual investment conference.