Britain | Rule intentions

What fiscal rules should Britain have?

Labour has chosen its framework. Could it be better?

Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, and Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, prepare for the Spring Budget.
Photograph: Labour Party

Not many politicians last more than a few years in charge. Short tenures give rise to temptation: to borrow money now and leave the next lot to foot the bill. Economists call this “deficit bias”, the fiscal equivalent of St Augustine’s prayer: “Lord, make me chaste. But not yet.”

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This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Rule intentions”

From the March 30th 2024 edition

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