The destruction of the last 14 years, in numbers

2 Jul 2024

This is the reality of austerity. Since 2010, government cuts to public services mean the UK has become a broken country. Our public buildings and spaces have been sold off, our children have fewer places to play, and our transport options are depleted while fares rocket upwards. Essential public services and natural monopolies, like water and rail, benefit a handful of mostly overseas investors. We can’t go on pursuing the same bankrupt ideology of cuts and privatisation.

Our video reflects this. In 60 seconds it summarises the state we’re in after 14 years - and here is the evidence to back it up:

Since 2010, we have lost:

• 200 Museums
• 244 Courts and tribunals
• 279 school playing fields
• 451 homeless services
• 600 police stations
• 673 public toilets
• 750 Youth centres
• 793 Playgrounds
• 800 Libraries
• 926 football pitches
• 1,086 Swimming pools
• 1,416 Sure Start children’s centres
• 8,000 Bus routes, and
• 25,000 NHS beds.

NB Some stats are for England only, some for the whole of the UK. Funding for public services in all four countries is affected by Westminster's spending plans.