Sebastian Payne

Podcast: George Osborne’s 2015 budget, the jobs miracle and shooting squirrels

Has George Osborne produced a successful Budget? On this week’s View from 22 podcast, Fraser NelsonJames Forsyth and Isabel Hardman discuss the last major act of this Parliament and what it means for the impending election campaign. Did the Chancellor announce anything of particular interest? Is this a Budget targeted purely at savers and pensioners? How influential were the Liberal Democrats in creating this budget? And on which points will Labour attack the government?

Jonathan Portes and Fraser also discuss this week’s Spectator cover feature on the jobs miracle and why the government isn’t extolling its excellent record on employment. Is the coalition still embarrassed over immigration record and therefore reluctant to mention any of the upsides? Is the boom in employment the result a welfare reform? Or are tax cuts to thank?

Plus, Anne Wareham discusses the tricky issue of dealing with grey squirrels. The law prohibits capturing squirrels and letting them go, so they either have to be shot or eaten. Are these rules sensible for keeping vermin under control or an annoyance for gardeners?

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