Forbes styles the Scottish budget as continuing a “progressive and restorative approach”. Conversely, Larry Flanagan, head of Scotland’s main teaching union, spoke of “an effective pay freeze”. And critics led by the STUC say key workers have been “left out in the cold”.
Public spending
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s speech to the virtual Tory party conference yesterday was interesting because of the framing of his argument around public finances. “We have a sacred responsibility to future generations to leave the public finances strong, and through careful management of our economy, this Conservative Government will always balance the books,” he said. “If […]
“What is the point in us?”
The hedge-fund Chancellor knows how to grab the front-pages. £10 per head for a meal out, but only in August, and only on Monday-Wednesday, is novel. The Rishi-burger is indicative of the kind of gimmicky, short-term, consumption-heavy and corporate-subsidy laden approach of the Chancellor’s announcement. As The Guardian’s economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty pointed out, it’s […]