British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street on his way to Buckingham Palace after the general election in London, Britain, on December 13, 2019.
Thomas Mukoya | Reuters
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country needs a “Rooseveltian” approach to the economy after the coronavirus epidemic, as it prepares to announce a massive push for public spending.
Introducing a £ 1 billion ($ 1.24 billion) school building program on Monday, with a new announcement on major public investment on Tuesday, Johnson made reference to former United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who He was elected to the presidency of the United States during the height of the Great Depression.
Roosevelt is known for implementing the “New Deal” program that funded the massive construction of America’s public infrastructure, from hospitals to post offices, bridges, and schools. Their goal was to help the country recover from the economic crisis during the 1930s.
Speaking to Times Radio, Johnson said that the coronavirus epidemic had been an “absolute nightmare for the country,” but added that “at that time, you have the opportunity to change and do things better … invest in infrastructure, transportation, broadband, you say it. “
“I think this is the time for a Rooseveltian approach to the UK,” he added.
Johnson said a return to austerity would be a mistake for the UK, where the economy is expected to see its gross domestic product contract at 10.2% in 2020 before growing 6.3% in 2021, according to the latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund.
The prime minister is expected to announce more public spending on hospitals, homes and infrastructure Tuesday.
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