Why Rachel Reeves' Budget Was Bolder Than We Expected

Is Labour's first budget a success or failure for the new government? How does it compare to previous budgets? Did Rachel Reeves alter her proposals from pre-election?

Rory and Alastair come together to answer all your budget related questions in today's emergency budget episode.

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00:00 Fuse
01:30 The Budget

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[juliangilbert]

So Osbornes austerity didn't work. Turns out closing libraries, hospitals and fire stations doesn't solve national deficits. Who knew? 🙄

[catherinemartin]

I’m happy with the budget let’s get on with it please

[suhailski]

I am happy to pay for the services our country needs.

[damianforsyth]

Judging by the hysterical response from most of the British Media oh and Jeremy Clarkson it must be pretty good for the less well off and the Health service.

[ianbrailsford]

Gentlemen, we have to talk about the budget effect on family farms and our food security in more depth. It's crucial to the future.

[davidleakenneyphotography]

I can't believe it! Fuse are at it again! 😂

[ZHUHAI]

Rory, it’s not about a population that rejects immigration entirely. The issue is a lack of trust in a system that feels uncontrolled and unaccountable. I truly believe that if we had a government capable of implementing a well-regulated immigration plan—one that clearly defined the need for both skilled and unskilled workers and tied visas to renewals every 1-2 years—people would largely support it. But this trust can’t be established until illegal immigration, particularly the ongoing daily boat arrivals, is brought under control. The fact that illegal immigration is costing British taxpayers an estimated £6-8 million per day needs to be addressed decisively. I’m baffled as to why you and Alastair seem unable to fully grasp this fundamental concern.

[SP-eovl]

It will be nice to have a government that starts a project and finishes it rather than spending billions of pounds and then pulling the plug on it.

[lesguersten]

I am happy for other people to pay for the Unproductive UK Public Sector & to emigrate to low tax, high Growth & zero busybodies Florida.

[TheOnlyWayIsUp]

Wealth has doubled in uk over the last decade. Where has it gone ... to the 1%

[londonsparrow]

Not a bad budget really. Yes it will increase debt, which is not good. But things had to be fixed. Nothing is working properly, potholes in every road, failing councils, etc.
We need to restart services, maybe get hospitals fixed, or even repair some schools before they fall down onto our children.
The incompetent and corrupt Tories are gone, they'll whine about Labour lot fixing their incompetencies but there you go.

[skx]

People's lack of understanding about how farming works is terrifying. They just hear '£1million' and think farmers are rolling in cash.

[rebekkahill]

I was holding my breath expecting more cuts, and instead we got reasonable taxation and spending policies. If I knew the budget was going to be this impressive and different to the tories I might have voted for them in the election, but it wasn't the impression they gave 😅

[Simont.]

Rishi response was pathetic...raving and drooling and screaming basically calling the Labour Government that from a party that has lied continually.
It was a reminder of how useless the Tory govt. was.

[stevefraser]

Albo didn't bring in tax increases in Australia, he changed the tax cuts from only being for the wealthiest to a tax cut for all.

[kennethnoble]

I think the point about small farms is very important. If security issues become tenser globally we may not be able to import enough for our needs. Having a lot of farmland being owned by foreigners doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

[blue_tree_meadow]

Love, "The Rest Is Politics, " truthful, factual analysis is just what we need right now.

[stevewatkinson]

Thankyou Alistair/Rory. A common sense adult discussion rather than the right wing propaganda who are upset that their jet travel has been taxed and school fees increased. Also businesses contributing as they should for a change. Labour could have gone further but seem to have slam dunked all the Tory voters which is to be expected.I am happy to pay more tax if required in the future👍

[carolineclark]

The additional investment in FE colleges should be highlighted. We've been deskilling ourselves. Universities are not the panacea: we need to focus far more on practical skills and on increasing the status of "the practical professions" (including in installing green energy equipment)