The elephant in the room that the Budget failed to address
The Budget failed to tackle the elephant in the room, which is the increasing dependence of large parts of the population on the welfare system.
The Chancellor did acknowledge that the current welfare system is letting too many people down while also costing the taxpayer more and more money.
The Government said it will consider the recommendations of Alan Milburn’s report on young people not in employment, education or training and Sir Stephen Timms’ review of Personal Independence Payments.
Unless the number of people reliant on benefit payments starts to fall, Britain will never climb out of the financial hole it finds itself in.
Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch called the Budget “not good enough, not strong enough, not bold enough” after it failed to address the rising welfare bill. She added: “We are overspent, overborrowed, overtaxed, and drowning in an out-of-control welfare system, and this is his answer.
“It is simply not enough, not good enough, not strong enough, not bold enough.”
While the Government’s desire not to impose “crude cuts” is understandable, it cannot continue to kick the can down the road.
Another issue that cannot continue to be deferred is that of defence spending. The Chancellor said that he will set out details of “how we will meet our Nato commitment to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035, with a target date for 3 per cent in 2030” at next year’s spending review.
Only a concrete commitment will send out a loud and clear message to Britain’s enemies.