Budget leaks were once the cause of scandals, inquiries and resignations. But the contents of George Osborne’s red box were spilled across the papers last Sunday. By yesterday the entire package was old news. Yet Osborne remains addicted to the last-minute surprise.
What would it be?
Gym membership for Angus Robertson? Free counselling for ousted LibDems? Britain to join the drachma?
The living wage – Osborne’s grand revelation – is his attempt to redraw British politics. It aligns the Tories with the working-class against Labour.
The opposition wanted a minimum wage of £8 by 2020. Osborne ups that to £9. There are sweeteners for the squeezed middle too. The threshold for the higher tax-band will rise. And Osborne announced a crusade on serial sproggers who bang out a nipper a year without fail.
Quite an alarming development for couples whose sprawling families weave along the pavement like a seven-a-side training session.
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