tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274202625019620620.post8123893855490123270..comments2024-03-24T09:28:57.921+00:00Comments on 7and7is: The UK is too taxingPhil Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426180519131561985noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274202625019620620.post-89603575776290968772020-04-08T14:25:57.525+01:002020-04-08T14:25:57.525+01:00Hey mate, I only just caught up with this comment ...Hey mate, I only just caught up with this comment just now. Thank you but I don't think I can accept those appointments unless the coronavirus lockdown means no golf for the duration of the contracts. The data from IFS is fascinating. So the cuts were only £1bn more than the LibDems proposed! And of course these weren't real "cuts", they were reductions in planned increases. So what say you now about austerity? I'm not saying there weren't cuts in specific areas, so sure you can question the choices made but spending did need to be contained overall else we'd have headed into the current crisis in a much weaker state.<br />Personally I would have cut deeper then (the Irish did and benefitted) and with hindsight I still would. In business it's usually considered best to make the pain sharper but get it out of the way quicker rather than spreading it out over many years like Osborne did, though I accept the analogy breaks down if pushed too far.Phil Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16426180519131561985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274202625019620620.post-43761924780564178052020-03-16T21:42:44.003+00:002020-03-16T21:42:44.003+00:00So Phil, your application to be Director General o...So Phil, your application to be Director General of HMRC has been accepted and what's more you'll be doing a work-share arrangement as Governor of the bank of England as well. <br /><br />As for austerity, a subject filled with more political rhetoric than just about any other, especially from our socialist comrades, a look at the IFS review of the 2010 - 2015 Parliament makes interesting reading - Planned Tory cuts £96b, planned Labour cuts £82b, planned Lib Dem cuts £80b, actual cuts in that Parliament £81b - yes £1b less than Labour planned to make had they won the 2010 GE!Democracy Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125575273547374747noreply@blogger.com