Source · Select Committees · Treasury Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Paragraph: 66
It was against the backdrop of the Covid pandemic that the Chancellor announced a large...
Conclusion
It was against the backdrop of the Covid pandemic that the Chancellor announced a large increase in departmental spending at this Spending Review, with real-terms increases for all departments. However, the Chancellor also declared his intention to cut taxes later in this Parliament. It already appears to be a significant challenge for the tax burden as a percentage of GDP to be lower at the end of this Parliament than at the beginning, because the Chancellor’s tax rises have already been announced, and his fiscal headroom to reduce them and still meet his fiscal target is small.
Paragraph Reference:
66
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
I thank the Committee for their conclusions on the government’s fiscal strategy. The Treasury continues to monitor the risks of higher inflation and interest rates closely, and the Charter for Budget Responsibility now contains a new focus on assessing the affordability of public debt. As the Committee notes, the UK’s high level of debt means we are vulnerable to changes in macroeconomic conditions such as interest rates and inflation, which would increase the amount we spend on debt interest rather than public services. That is why the government has introduced new fiscal rules to help ensure the public finances return to a sustainable footing. Rolling fiscal rules means we can absorb some shocks and adjust fiscal policy as needed, but the government has already made tough decisions which demonstrate our commitment to keep debt under control, such as delivering a long-term, sustainable funding solution for the NHS and reform of the adult social care system.