Public Spending: Inheritance - Statement

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 12:54 pm on 30 July 2024.

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Photo of Lord Livermore Lord Livermore The Financial Secretary to the Treasury 12:54, 30 July 2024

As my noble friend perhaps did not acknowledge, this is not an easy decision and I understand why there is disappointment about it, but it is the right decision in the circumstances. The level of overspend we inherited is simply not sustainable. Left unaddressed, it would have meant a 25% increase in the Government’s financing needs this year, so it falls on this Government to take the difficult decisions to make the necessary in-year savings.