Pre-Budget Report 2009

Although I have not spoken in the debate, I have listened to more than half of it. I think it is generally recognised that there is no Minister better able than the noble Lord, Lord Myners, to defend the Government’s economy strategy, but the economic strategy that he has expounded today is very clearly: no expenditure cuts this year, borrow more, and spend the money on increased benefits as electoral sweeteners. Could that be cynically described as a British Government saying to the British people, "If you lend me a tenner, I will buy you a drink"?