In July 1944, delegationsfrom 44 countries gathered in theNew Hampshire resort of BrettonWoods to lay the institutionalfoundations for the post-war eco-nomic order.
Like the discovery that Britain's railways are as vulnerable to the sun as to wet leaves or the wrong sort of snow, reports that Gordon Brown has warned Cabinet ministers to expect tough public spending negotiations should hardly come as a surprise.
Although Gordon Brown presented last week's spending review with confidence about the feasibility of his aims, the government's strategy has risks - that the planned efficiency gains may not materialise at the scale or the speed envisaged.
The government has repeatedly promised to cur public sector administration costs and halt the rise in civil service jobs, yet both have risen year after year.
In his 1956 book "The Future of Socialism", the Labour thinker Tony Crosland famously argued:The essential thing is that every citizen should have an equal chance - that is his democratic right.
"The average duration of human life is proved to have increased of late years. The calculations of various life assurance and annuity offices, among other figures which cannot go wrong, have established the fact."
The Chancellor, in his pre-budget report in December, re-emphsized the Government's commitment to close the productivity gap that exists between Britian and its competitor economies.
When politicians claim they can finance tax cuts or provide extra resources for public services by cracking down on waste and bureaucracy, voters should start counting the spoons.
Michael Howard's appointment last week of company dactor David James to seek out Whitehall waste was the opening shot in what promises to be a ferocious political battle over tax and spending this year.
Commentary: all content
Showing 1121 – 1140 of 1233 results
Put a spring in your step
The 2004 spending review was never likely to contain any surprises.
1 September 2004
Balance of power
In July 1944, delegationsfrom 44 countries gathered in theNew Hampshire resort of BrettonWoods to lay the institutionalfoundations for the post-war eco-nomic order.
1 September 2004
Economic agenda: Four questions Brown must answer
Like the discovery that Britain's railways are as vulnerable to the sun as to wet leaves or the wrong sort of snow, reports that Gordon Brown has warned Cabinet ministers to expect tough public spending negotiations should hardly come as a surprise.
10 August 2004
Economic agenda: Why tax cuts are low on the Tory agenda
Many conservative MPs and candidates were horrified at their party's dismal results in last month's by-elections.
1 August 2004
No pain, no efficiency gain
Although Gordon Brown presented last week's spending review with confidence about the feasibility of his aims, the government's strategy has risks - that the planned efficiency gains may not materialise at the scale or the speed envisaged.
23 July 2004
Savings promise must deliver this time
The government has repeatedly promised to cur public sector administration costs and halt the rise in civil service jobs, yet both have risen year after year.
13 July 2004
Waiting for Gordon
Gordon Brown's fourth Spending review will be unveiled on Monday.
9 July 2004
Fated to repeat the income of their parents? Pre-school cash could break the poverty cycle
In his 1956 book "The Future of Socialism", the Labour thinker Tony Crosland famously argued:The essential thing is that every citizen should have an equal chance - that is his democratic right.
6 June 2004
To maximise efficiency
This article was published in Public Service Director on 1st May 2005.
1 May 2004
To move the goal posts?
This article was published in New Start on 19th April 2004.
19 April 2004
If Gradgrind's figures go wrong, it could add up to hard times for pensioners and taxpayers.
"The average duration of human life is proved to have increased of late years. The calculations of various life assurance and annuity offices, among other figures which cannot go wrong, have established the fact."
4 April 2004
In pocket, but out of service?
Last week, Gordon Brown unveiled his eighth budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
26 March 2004
Rolling back the state?
On Monday, the Conservatives announced their medium-term expenditure strategy.
20 February 2004
Turning the Tide
The Chancellor, in his pre-budget report in December, re-emphsized the Government's commitment to close the productivity gap that exists between Britian and its competitor economies.
12 February 2004
All that effort goes to waste
When politicians claim they can finance tax cuts or provide extra resources for public services by cracking down on waste and bureaucracy, voters should start counting the spoons.
8 February 2004
Brown treads a tax tightrope
Michael Howard's appointment last week of company dactor David James to seek out Whitehall waste was the opening shot in what promises to be a ferocious political battle over tax and spending this year.
11 January 2004
Gordon,actually: an epic in three parts coming soon to a screen near you
From the Matrix to the Lord of the Rings, vast trilogies are in fashion at the cinema these days.
7 December 2003
Fiscal rules at breaking point
On Wednesday, Gordon Brown will outline the Pre-Budget report.
5 December 2003
Stability is needed apart from simplicity
The UK pension system has undergone continual reform during the past 25 years.
10 November 2003
Grey-sky thinking ahead
This article was published in The Public Finance Magazine on 24th October 2003.
24 October 2003