The Chancellor has been fortunate that the public finances have improved substantially at a particularly convenient time.
In sum, Hammond said: vote for May’s Deal – or the economy gets it. But there’s more than one way of dicing the next election result.
But although the era of austerity is coming to a close, we are emphatically not rejecting the need for ongoing discipline with the public finances.
The Chancellor’s recent claims of a coming “Deal Dividend” sent the wrong message at the wrong time – and showed up a deep Treasury malaise.
In the second article of our mini-series, the Harlow MP calls for a relentless focus on the cost of living, a skills-based economy, social injustices and affordable housing.
Alex Morton and the rest of our research team have spent weeks crunching the numbers to ensure that they stack up
“For the last two and a half years I’ve proposed that we put the money that has been taken out back in.”
If the Budget choice this year is between supporting the new system or raising tax thresholds, the answer is a no brainer.
That’s you told, Johnson and Truss. Plus: a Universal Credit Brexit Dividend for working families.
Rees-Mogg is “worried” by reports that working families will lose money. Plus: how should May pitch for Labour voters? And why he is “always on good behaviour.”
The legacy benefits system is a mix of six benefits, has three cliff-edges – and punishes extra hours. It lets people down and holds them back.
This is a robust, Conservative policy that enhances the stability of our society by encouraging and supporting prudent financial decision-making.
Plus: The Sports Minister speaks to a stranger on the tube. Phone-in callers back Universal Credit. And: It’s Coming Home, It’s Coming Home, It’s Coming Home…
We need more houses, not just to buy, but to rent – truly affordably, as well. This is a social justice issue.
At the moment, we are treading water and appear to be relying on popular support for Brexit, and the threat of Corbyn, to keep us in office.