Even as it is, we have been fortunate riots that have proven a rarity. Cut 6.7 per cent a year from the budget and they become almost an inevitability.
Labour have found two ways of circumventing Hunt’s spending trap: first, to ignore it, and, second, to reduce pressure on the public finances through optimistic promises of economic growth.
Voters clearly want it – and the recent past suggests he’s a more credible agent of it than Sir Keir.
The second part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The second part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
Instead of a Conservative housing policy that emphasises home ownership and architectural beauty, it will now be done the Labour way. When tower blocks start rising over the Home Counties, I hope that our remaining MPs realise their mistake.
Couples are waiting later and later to have children due to the cost of living in many areas of the country – of which housing plays such a massive part. It is certainly encouraging to see action is being taken to reduce some barriers to building, but this should be done with more haste.
The sad truth is that until Tory MPs – and members – get serious about the trade-offs required for the long-term sustainability of the public finances, tax cuts will remain a pipe dream, and Britain’s economic position will continue to deteriorate.
There are many things that can be done to resist the tide. The first would be for ministers to make the philosophical case for where state responsibility ends, and personal responsibility starts.
Abolishing IHT would look extraordinarily out of touch to those struggling to pay their bills or worried about the state of the public services – and would undermine any claim to fiscal responsibility.
The bottom line is that inflation squeezes citizens’ spending, with inflation running at a higher rate than pay increases, resulting from inflation pressures.
The committee’s report was thorough, but the sentence is disproportionate.
Party activists could be forgiven for wondering if he would now rather have Starmer in Downing Street than Sunak.
Such as: reductions for business, such capital allowances to promote investment. And reductions on earnings, such as cuts to National Insurance.
He will probably judge it better to keep a conservative spending message and dial down on the more radical green growth programme. Which would require her to make a painful U-turn.