andrew marr show 28 jun 09

Ed Balls from the transcript of this morning's edition

ED BALLS:Well it's a very, very big choice because that goes to two different things - one, your view of justice - what is fair; and, secondly, what is your role, your view of the role of the state? What should government do? We've been very clear that government must act to get us through the downturn and do it fairly. David Cameron and George Osborne say we shouldn't be acting and they want to do tax cuts, which to be honest I think are hugely unfair and will be paid for in police and hospitals and schools being cut if you had a Conservative government.

As DK points out today there is an article in the Telegraph that says

The stark evidence of the growing imbalance between what the Government raises and what it spends is likely to intensify the political row over the public finances and may strengthen calls for cuts in spending.

Treasury figures show that welfare payments will exceed income tax receipts by almost £25 billion. Normally, income tax receipts comfortably cover the benefits bill.

In 2008/09, gross income tax receipts were £152.5 billion. In the same year, social security benefits cost the Exchequer £150.1 billion.

In 2009/10, the Treasury is expecting to take in £140.5 billion in gross income tax receipts. Social security benefits are projected to be £164.7 billion.

So if the choice is between a government that will continue to spend in excess of what it is extorting from us and one that might not the choice seems like a no brainer for the average working person. Thank you Ed for making that a little clearer for us all.