Labour’s cutting confusion

Yesterday, the Guardian told us that the health and overseas aid budgets wouldn’t be spared from Labour cuts.  But, today, Steve Richards suggests that may not be the case:

“The preliminary manoeuvring begins today when the Chancellor delivers a lecture on the principles that will guide the Government’s approach, in effect arguing that while the Tories ‘wallow’ in the prospect of spending cuts he will take a more expedient approach, in terms of timing, pace, depth and in his view that the Government can still play a creative role as an enabler in the delivery of public services. But even this early message is hazy. Contrary to some authoritative briefings, I am told that the Government has not agreed to include the NHS and international aid as candidates for possible cuts or ‘savings’.”