Tory MPs would have forced changes to Osborne’s tax credit plan in any event. Are they really up for the tough decisions that deficit reduction requires?
The Mayor says the upper chamber is “wrong to get in the way of the sovereign expression of the will of Parliament”.
The savings still need to be made. The Government still struggles to judge Parliament’s mood. And why aren’t Bishops this angry about other injustices?
The Paymaster General reiterates that the tax credit cuts have been debated and voted on three times in the elected House of Commons.
Those opposing the step must specify their alternative proposals – £4.4 billion of extra taxes or debt would be unacceptable.
The Education Secretary tells Andrew Marr that the cuts are part of a package which cannot be unravelled.
The Prime Minister pointed to the Living Wage and tax cuts as softening the blow.
Jacob of North-East Somerset pointed to the alarming possibility that the Prime Minister may soon have a pretext for creating hundreds of new peers.
There must be special measures and exemptions for the self-employed so not to harm the ‘self-employment miracle’.
Willetts has no objection to getting local councils to build more houses, and “hopes and believes” Osborne will find ways to alleviate the cuts in tax credits.
“I hope we will see again those gems of prudence and wise judgement that drew me to the Conservative Party before it is too late.”
Yes, changes could be made to his plans – and probably will be. But the Chancellor is on the right side of a big, vital argument.
Friedman and Hayek’s beloved policy would help the poor, make work pay and fulfil the surplus target.