STEALTH CUTS : BROWN'S BUDGET IN THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY - DAVEY Spending on the NHS and schools is being cut by stealth, according to new figures from the Independent House of Commons Library. Local MP Edward Davey, a Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesman, has today released this new post-budget analysis and called on the Chancellor to "start telling the truth on the state of schools and the NHS." The new figures reveal that total Government spending as a proportion of national income is now lower than in 15 out of the 18 years of Tory rule. In 2000/1 total spending will be lower than in any year of Tory government between 1979 and 1997. Spending on pensions has fallen to 5.3% of national income, compared to 5.4% under John Major. On education, spending has fallen to 4.9% of national income compared to 5.0%. On health, average spending in this Parliament will be the same as under the Conservatives. Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesman, said: "To spend less than the Conservatives is quite some feat. No wonder we’ve got teacher shortages, long out-patients waiting lists and low police numbers. "It is absurd that Labour claims to be investing in public services, when it is spending a smaller proportion of national income than the last Tory Government. "On budget day, Gordon Brown pretended to raise spending on health and education by billions. Yet in the cold light of day, he has been shown to have treble counted his figures. People want more honesty on taxation and spending."
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