John Mcfall

The Government have got their priorities right

Alistair Darling’s first Budget was a Budget for uncertain times. Given the current global turbulence, the Government have taken no chances. This is not the time for a showstopping Budget. But the Government have nevertheless reconfirmed their priorities in this Budget, and have shown they are determined to achieve their social goals. This Budget will

Budget 2008: Combating child poverty & helping the environment

Devising this year’s Budget can’t have been easy for the Government. On the one hand, a slowdown seems likely over the next year or so. Two intertwined factors — tightening credit and slowing or falling house prices — will constrain consumer spending and tax receipts. The Government is already nearing the limits of its fiscal