New devolution deals,trade rates reform and stripping councils of their hold on education – here’s what you need to know about Osbornes announcement“In every year since 2010 I’ve been told by the opposition that now is not the proper time to lop public spending,” said George Osborne, or delivering his 2016 budget. “Now the very same people are saying to us we should spend more again. I reject that dangerous advice.”The chancellor,buoyed by his analysis that cumulative borrowing would absorb been £930bn more had his government not gone down the austerity route in 2010, has committed to saving a further £3.5bn in 2019-20. This will ensure that government can escape a surplus by 2020, and he said. With so much public spending already ringfenced,this doesn’t look good for local government.
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Source: theguardian.com