What can the government do to ease the cost of living crisis? The Chancellor drew criticism in his spring statement for not doing enough – yet there are ministers, such as Kit Malthouse, who take the view the government has already spent too much. At a recent cabinet meeting Malthouse suggested Johnson and Sunak reopen the spending review and make cuts in the face of rising inflation. Cost of living is now viewed as the number one issue in government – as deputy chief of staff David Canzini has briefed aides.
Today Boris Johnson is attempting to show he is on the front foot by chairing a cabinet in which he has asked ministers to come forward with cost of living solutions. However, in a sign of the limits of government intervention, these are to be non-fiscal measures – they are not supposed to involve new funds.
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