Different ways to cook the spending omelette

The spending debate continues with Philip Hammond over at ConservativeHome defending his decision to sign up to Brown’s current spending plan. The 2% total ain’t that much, he says, slower than economic growth in fact. Therefore Brown is (magic phrase) “sharing the proceeds of growth” like he would. 

He’s right, Brown’s spending is the tightest since 00. But within that round are strange priorities. Money is being forcefed to an NHS that shows itself incapable of digesting it. And after the dreadful PISA study showing English schools are going backwards in literacy and numeracy, I’d also question if it’s wise to keep giving the LEAs so much money to squander. 

I’d give more to the Home Office, which needs to build prisons instead of letting hundreds out to offend again on early release. I’d pay the police properly, honouring the arbitration panel like the Tories did in all their 18 years of office.