Pay later…
WHAT a difference a year makes.
Last July, Rachel Reeves was busy talking down the economy and slashing winter fuel payments for pensioners to fill a budget “black hole”.
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Yesterday, she insisted the country’s foundations had now been miraculously fixed by Labour.
So much so that she could go on a massive spending splurge, including £113BILLION on capital projects and more money for an unreformed NHS.
Defence gets a long overdue uplift — albeit to less than the level demanded by Nato.
Creaking local transport networks will be improved (no doubt to counter the threat of Reform in the Red Wall). Some £39billion will go on more affordable homes.
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But there was also plenty of political smoke and mirrors. The Home Office — while getting a wedge of cash to shore up our porous borders — was starved of sufficient funds for policing. Council tax rises beckon.
Most worryingly it’s far from clear how the Chancellor is planning to pay the massive overall bill.
Not least because the economy is — in reality — in a far worse condition than last year.
All of which points to more tax rises in the Budget this autumn . . . and more pain for voters.
Le copout
THE Government says it will end free hotels for illegal migrants by 2029.
Even in the unlikely event that target is met, it means taxpayers forking out billions on hotel freebies for another FOUR years.
After that, many young, male illegal immigrants will probably be moved to unsuitable rented accommodation with families living next door.
We don’t doubt Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wants to stop the boats.
But with friends like the French police — who needs enemies?
Just yesterday they were shrugging on the beach as boatloads of migrants set sail for Dover.
Soft Rock
AFTER the grubby deal to give away the Chagos Islands, Labour has now begun the sellout of Gibraltar.
In one more stunning failure of negotiation, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has limply agreed to effectively hand over control of its borders.
Yet another unnecessary concession to Europe which allows Spanish workers free movement to Gibraltar. Spain has long coveted the outcrop and will be cock-a-hoop at this self-inflicted weakening of British sovereignty.
Our Government has led Madrid to believe it is one step closer to its dream of re-taking the Rock.
