Briefing: What does the Mid-Term Review say the Government is going to do?

The coalition has worked very hard, taken tough decisions, worked in the long-term interest of the country for short-term political gain. That, if you can’t summon the energy to read all 46 pages of the Mid-Term Review, is its surprising verdict on the Coalition so far. But the document also sets out plans for the rest of this Parliament, although many have already been announced in previous speeches and launches. Here’s the bluffer’s guide to what the Government has got in store up to 2015:

Deficit

– The Government will stick to its deficit reduction plan ‘while protecting vulnerable groups and key long-term investments’.

Business, enterprise and growth

– Sector-specific industrial strategies, including plans to boost high-tech industry.
– Plans for railways include an ‘electric spine’ from Southampton to Yorkshire, increased capacity for 140,000 extra daily commutes at peak times by the end of 2019, and legislation for the first phase of the high-speed rail network.