The response to the Comprehensive Spending Review was, of course, mixed with some condemning the severity of the cuts while others applauded the boldness and approach to the announcements. Here is an early flavour of the announcements, including those on Twitter, to the Speech…
George Osborne
“Today’s the day when Britain steps back from the brink, when we confront the bills from a decade of debt.”
Sean Coughlan (BBC Education)
“After the backlash over the scrapping of 700 school building projects, the chancellor announces there will be £15.8bn to “rebuild and refurbish” 600 schools.”
David Shukman (BBC Science Correspondent)
“Mr Osborne confirms £1bn funding for a carbon capture and storage project. However, the original plans had been for “up to four” such projects.”
Princess Royal Trust for Carers
“We feel there is a real risk that support provided by social care will be wiped out by the loss of the family income.” (via Twitter)
Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors
“We agree with changes to incapacity benefit and the disability living allowance … housing benefit does need to be reformed. But there is nothing fair about child benefit changes that leave a single earner on £45,000 losing thousands of pounds while a family on £80,000 gets to keep every penny.”
Alan Johnston
“Today is the day that an abstract debate about spreadsheets and numbers turns into stark reality for people’s jobs and services”.
Adam Boulton (Sky)
“Alan Johnson is nice guy in the wrong job. Either of Balls family would have done better. No questions from him. No deficit cutting ideas” (via Twitter)
And a little humour
Hear the affect of the spending review is even affecting fairgrounds. My friend’s a dodgems operator and he lost his job this morning. He’s suing for funfair dismissal.
