I wonder how many of you were impressed by George Osborne’s Budget today. Pretty impressive stuff - a neat economic package wrapped up in a bundle of slick sound bites that tap into our love of showbiz - aspirations - and our desperate desire to feel as though things - to quote Blair’s anthem.. ‘Will only get better’
I seem obsessed with the Blair years – let it go D… it’s over
Anyway
Osborne describes it as a budget "Built on sound money" – well it’s definitely a budget built on an ideology that those who earn more should pay more – however – those who earn less – will not pay less- no – they - will pay more - also.
In that respects it’s not a budget build on an ideology of equality.
In a rhythmic display to set your pulse alight he described it as a budget to take the country “From rescue to reform - from reform to recovery”
Yet the cuts to the public sector will hit families hard once further job losses are realized – and few at that time will view that impact as either rescue or recovery.
“ A budget for making things – not making things up”
Well actions speak louder than words - so we can only hope that the private sector is able to replenish the gap left by public sector job cuts - and that the new Enterprise Zones announced today will offer much needed employment to those most in need
Osborne stated that “Britain is open for business” – and whilst that may be true it’s hardly new. Wealthy investors and a large number of private sector businesses have reaped the benefits of British business for many years. Those - however - who are not in a position to invest - or provide services will continue to be consumers - and ironically - those will the least – often appear as attractive bait to big fish - are often enticed the most – expected to spend the most - and as a result of being dependant on services - will continue to remain the most vulnerable..
So – “Britain needs to make things again”
Will we see a return to factories I wonder? … Is the “Plan for Growth ?“ - A plan to rely less on foreign imports?... Will the Enterprise Zones be like little industrial areas once more – where a worker can learn the skills required by their immediate employer - skills they couldn't’ possibly use elsewhere? – so - if they lose that job it's back to square one? ..
Still – a job is a job – and as people are now expected to work longer – we need to create more jobs for our school leavers – our young adults – and our (not quite pensioner) pensioners
There was some good news...
There will be funding for 12 new Technical Colleges which the government will increase to 24 - Technical Colleges that will provide vocational training to 11 – 19yr olds
This I guess will be for those students who the powers that be feel may be unable to achieve the new Baccalaureate - who knows…
This is a great thing if the skills of these students are recognized and truly valued – that they are not viewed as somehow second class – second rate qualifications’
We need skilled people in all areas – and I hope this is the government’s recognition of that.
Osborne’s stated in the house that the “Biggest problem facing our economy in the future is low - or lack of skills of our working age population”
Yet it’s hard to see how that will be improved if the plan to charge for Level 3 qualifications goes ahead. Low skills do not equal low ability. We have a large number of highly capable people in boroughs such as Hackney who - quite often (for no fault of their own) did not acquire a decent education - or gain the necessary qualifications. A lack of – or not having qualifications can mean – especially for minority groups - a reduction of opportunity - low paid jobs - and very little money to pay for classes. It’s a vicious cycle.
Still - it’s good to hear that 'Non Dom’ tax dodgers will have to pay tax like the rest of us... pretty sure they’ll find a way around that – but it’s a good step towards fairness
Osborne closed his speech with an almost poetic rallying call of …
“Made in Britain
Created in Britain
Designed in Britain
Invented in Britain
To drive our nation forward
A Britain carried aloft by the march of the makers
That is how we will create jobs and support families,
We have put fuel into the tank of the British economy and I commend this budget to the house!” ‘yeaaaah’
Cool
So - up stepped Ed Miliband with my favorite quips of the day
What say Ed (you sure you’re not from Hackney?) Miliband?
‘Cha’ ( I said that)
“Same old Tories!”… Shouted Ed.. “It’s hurting …but it isn’t working!”… he went on…
“The wrong type of Chancellor … in the wrong type of government …with the wrong priorities for Britain”… a complacent - arrogant Chancellor in a complacent - arrogant government..
Lord have mercy…
It’s true what they say – you can’t please ‘em' all…
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