[Tubby Isaacs]

This is positive too. Despite the warning, this is the only way that costs will get contained in the right way (by efficiency savings across larger areas, rather than just trying to stop people applying for what they're entitled to),

Warning of £20bn timebomb as Reeves switches Send funding in England to education department
Councils welcome move but OBR says it is a significant fiscal risk and could lead to 4.9% real fall in spending per pupil

[Malcolm Armsteen]

The NEU is already threatening to strike...

[Tubby Isaacs]

Was that their Stop The War leader?

It's possible that someone might notice something we've all missed, but so far the Budget is holding up. Some of the people saying it wouldn't raise any money or that if it would, it would hurt growth, should maybe reflect on that.

[Tubby Isaacs]

This is bollocks. The tax only goes when an international solution is agreed.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I won't be too bothered about this. It's certainly the bit of the bill that I can see an issue with. The rest of it, like most tax rises, business just gets on with it. But in terms of taking on staff, if they see a problem with the bill, then they don't take people on in the first place, and we can't afford that with the trend (since 2014) of young people going NEET.

[The Weeping Angel]

So what have they offered instead?

[Abernathy]

There have apparently been some intensive negotiations by the government with trades unions and employers, with it in mind that the bill has been bounced back from the Lords twice already, with this measure (day one protection from unfair dismissal) apparently the sticking point. Most of the unions are on board, with only Sharon Graham (quelle surprise) kicking off about it. Should mean the legislation gets on the statute book sooner than it otherwise would, with most of its original substance intact.

[Tubby Isaacs]

It is a manifesto promise, in fairness. So there's bound to be a reaction.

[The Weeping Angel]

It is a manifesto promise, in fairness. So there's bound to be a reaction.

There has.