'Of course they knew': Labour government aware of poor state of public finances, says IFS boss

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Publicado 2024-07-26
The director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said the incoming Labour government would have been aware, to a large degree, of "how bad things are in terms of public finances".

Speaking to Ali Fortescue on Sky's Politics Hub, Paul Johnson said the IFS and many others "made it clear" that it would be "very hard to avoid cuts", adding that public services such as the NHS, social care and prisons are in a "terrible state".

Mr Johnson's comments come amid reports that the government is facing a £20bn "black hole" in public finances, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves vowing to "fix" the "mess" left behind by the Tories.

Read more: trib.al/Yrxwy1q

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Todos los comentarios (21)
  • @barkershill
    This blaming of the previous government for current woes is literally the oldest trick in the book . The ancient Romans were doing it 2000 years ago . I am seventy five and every political party I can remember has done the same thing , when in opposition promise more jobs and houses and better education and health service and then when they get elected say “Oh we can’t do any of that now ,the previous government has left things in such a mess. “ Honestly , I have been hearing the same thing all my life
  • @NeuroDeviant421
    Tax raises for corporations and the wealthiest. How hard is that? The notion that tax breaks for corporations and wealthy citizens spur “innovation” is patently false. IF the recipient of a tax cut uses that money to hire people, train people, grow the infrastructure, etc, those claims would be justified. More money in the hands of the working class is what grows an economy as that money is spent and not reinvested unto stock schemes. Making money is NOT productive for anyone but shareholders and executives.
  • @Jase29
    If the financial problem is so big, why is there going to be a 5.5% pay rise for public sector workers?
  • @Bob-b4v
    Remember, the rich get eaten first.
  • @VPPAF
    rich get richer poor get poorer always has always will do politicians dont have the solution to problems politicians are the problem
  • @Petersworld77
    Hang on, a few days ago Sunak & Hunt were saying how fortunate Labour were with their inheritance! Don’t blame the new government for making sure everyone knows the actual truth.
  • @mootedtols4865
    So it's a factual statement rather than any kind of indictment?
  • @wlsn77
    Just raise the taxes, we know our public sector is a mess- but we need to reform the NHS, it is not working!
  • @manuelhung7571
    The Devil is in the Detail - Labour clearly never new all of the detail.
  • @terryloftus3207
    This guy has always been siding with the tories,they stopped asking Blanchflower because he was more Labour,so they couldnt have that.
  • So, in summary everyone knew that taxes needed to rise but the Tories vilified Labour over the Sunak tax slur?!! Labour has to grow a backbone. We cannot keep kow towing to Murdoch The Daily Mail and anonymously funded Think Tanks for ever - at some point stakeholders have to be considered!
  • @beawatton
    Really showing your bias with the title there Sky. Yes they knew that public finances were screwed - we all did, hence the tories were voted out.
  • People are just laughing at the Chancellor right now.. Everyone knew the state of the public affairs, it’s a matter of public record (and has been for years!!). No one is buying this nonsense. Labour wanted power, they got it!!
  • @rjw4762
    Public Finances in the worst state since whenever....and yet the highest tax burden on the country (people and businesses) for 70 years. There is no room for more taxes - at least not on the poorest 80%. As for the richest 20%, well....since 2016, over 16,000 - that's 16 thousand - Millionaires (most foreign) have decided to leave the UK, and take their wealth, buying power and tax contributions with them. Be careful Starmer - we can't ALL work for the Public Sector.
  • @sxceve25
    Why the Hell do they pretend..Bloody lies
  • @user-ht4bl6si1s
    Perhaps withdrawing the 8million to accommodate illegals just might help out finances...