British economies struggling to maintain spending

http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21573132-britains-squeezed-households-largely-explain-countrys-flatlining-economy-dropping-shopping

This article states that the British economy is starting to see less and less people care about spending due to low growth rates and high price fluctuation. With the average growth rate being 2 percent right now and the average price increase on goods is at 3 percent. Also with the average person having only about 15000 dollars in spending money per household after taxes and mortgage payments, leaving very little income. This is tough on the European economies and the recession has hit everyone including overseas.