The Chancellor will have have more money to play with than was forecast. How he uses these additional resources will tell us a great deal about his priorities.
Conservative governments can raise tax rates temporarily as part of a clear plan – which wasn’t the case with last week’s announcement.
The overseas aid and Universal Credit decisions suggest that, for the first time in a while, the cause of fiscal conservatism is gaining the upper hand.
Despite a surprisingly liberal migration policy, the bulk of the post-Brexit evidence so far suggests not.
The Government can’t deliver levelling up without more supply-side change, localism and public service reform.
Japan, Korea, Taiwan and now China, have all invested heavily in new technologies – through government support for new industries.
And the Chancellor’s score survives the Budget relatively intact: his score is down, but there is no sudden collapse.
Fifty eight per cent think was good or very good; 34 per cent a mix of good and bad.
Plus: Say what you like about Trump, but he had a better slogan than Clinton. And: Sunak’s budget was disappointing.
The Budget was, if truly honest, a sign that the Government shuns spending cuts and embraces tax rises – which is ultimately unsustainable.
The Prime Minister listened supportively, but jiggled his right knee up and down in a manner suggestive of unbearable mental tension.
His three part plan: protecting jobs and livelihoods. Securing the public finances. And laying foundations for the future.
Sunak is clearly the politician that alarms Labour – and the Opposition leader went for him personally over Covid and lockdowns.
“Let’s consider the alternatives. The first is to do nothing. To leave our deficit problem untreated. Our debt problem for someone else in future to deal with.”
Providing small businesses with technology and training will accelerate our recovery from Coronavirus.