Whether Brown says the 'c' word (cuts) or not is obviously very exciting for political correspondants and opposition politicians. A few minutes looking at a pull-out in the Guardian this week showing all the goverment's spending suggests that the media's obsession is a bit late when some big cuts have already happended.
The diagram is based on the widely respected Institute for Fiscal Studies figures and suggests that in the last year there have been some eye-catching reductions for some government departments. For example, the Department for Transport apparently spent 6% less last year, the Foreign Office 8% less. Some of the increases are interesting too ..... the National Audit Office spent 28% more, tax Credits 22%. The big one is of course the 49% to the Treasury, a cool £109 billion. The 9% increase in state pensions up to £62 billion is also thought provoking.
The online version is interactive and gives some commentary on the figures.
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