Tag Archives: Roger Bootle

Bill le Breton

Opinion: Mind the gap – a sceptical view of the need for cuts

By Bill le Breton | Sun 21st October 2012 - 9:50 am

The UK’s economic position has deteriorated, government revenues are lower and welfare expenditure higher than anticipated, worsening the deficit so that austerity must continue further into this decade. Because of this deterioration a combination of increased taxes or cuts must be identified in the Autumn Spending Statement in December.

That is the orthodox view. It is based on the generally accepted proposition that the structural deficit should be eliminated. This has set off widespread debate as to whether the increased scale of the structural deficit should be eliminated by increased taxes (such as a Mansion Tax) or expenditure reductions and where these should be identified, with the Conservatives placing welfare cuts at the top of their agenda.

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged and | 25 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Jason Connor
    In case you haven't heard, there is a cost of living crisis. So very high prices for food, I spent £70 on just a shop for myself the other day and not much for...
  • Jason Connor
    Christine Jardine for next Lib Dem Leader please....
  • Phil Wainewright
    Yes @Tim Rogers of course we need policies that deliver for people now. My point is that, if we don’t put those policies in the context of our longer term goa...
  • Christina Evans
    Very sensible idea, lib dems ,labour and greens form a coalition if we get a hung parliament. Kemi Badenoch has given a nod that the Tories would go in with the...
  • Suzanne Fletcher
    Yes I agree re the backdrop, just what is wrong with promoting who we are and what we stand for, rather than meaningless "fairer" type slogans. Good to read Ca...