The old continent grapples with recessionary woes, with even the UK - liberated from the clutches of the Eurocommies through Brexit - continuing to contract economically. No signs of change on the horizon, no readiness for reforms or course corrections.

In line with expectations, the UK economy contracted in the fourth quarter of 2023. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in its revised release, the inflation-adjusted Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 0.3 percent compared to the previous quarter. Economists had anticipated the statisticians to confirm the initial release's result of minus 0.3 percent. Likewise, the annual change rate of minus 0.2 percent was confirmed as expected.