According to research from IPPR, limited investment is restricting the expansion of the UK economy

As reported by a think tank, the UK continues to have the lowest levels of investment among the richest countries in the world, and without improvement, it is difficult to see how the economy will expand.

According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), overall investment in the United Kingdom lags "significantly" behind that of its closest rival among the rich G7 countries.

The center-left think tank did note that during the upcoming legislative term, both the Conservatives and Labour want to cut back on government spending.

It demands that the incoming administration adopt an industrial strategy and stop reversing course on policies to encourage private sector investment.

One of the main issues in the run-up to the general election is how to boost productivity in the UK economy after years of slow growth.

Businesses may increase economic production and productivity by investing in things like new factories, machinery, and technology. This can raise living standards and pay.

When governments spend money on things like new roads, railroads, schools, and health care, they are also investing.

The UK has had the lowest level of investment in the G7 for 24 of the previous 30 years, according to statistics from the Organisation for Economic Co-ordination and Development (OECD), which includes both enterprises and government.

It also stated that the UK was "significantly" lagging behind the next poorest performer, the US, at 21.2%, and not merely at the bottom of the G7 investment chart with investments at 18.3% of national income.

(Sources: bbc.co.uk)