reaction to budget 07

I'm not an expert on economics or on the implications on the budget, but it does seem to me that this new budget will increase the divide between rich and poor, as Adam Curtis' The Trap suggested has been the case since Labour came to power in 1997. Rather than being a government of social justice, ultimately (if Curtis is right), Labour have made social mobility even harder. A drop in income tax is welcome, but the removal of the 10p lower rate, means those lower wages will end up paying more tax. I don't understand how this is fair? Its giving with the left hand and then taking it away with the right, which so often seems typical New Labour. We're taking troops out of Iraq,  but we're sending more to Afgahstan. We're setting up children centres and starting programmes like Sure Start, but then we're not giving the adequate funding to make them work and make a difference in the community. It's annoying.

Comments

[jim gordon]

Andy, like you I don't do economics - and re the abolishing of the 10p band of tax, like John Reid often complains, 'I don't get it!'
What I do know is that the feeling that this finacial trickery isn't fair is to be taken seriously as an inner monitor that warns of injustice, systemic oppression, power rewarding power. There are times when what I can only call my spirit, recoils in distaste when unfairness is dressed up as something else. I think the budget was unfair.