Guido will keep track of Labour’s black hole. It’s going to get bigger until – surprise – more taxes arrive at the Budget…
Whitehall departments are fighting over not having to absorb the mammoth Special Educational Needs costs as Phillipson pursues reforms in the area. Bloomberg reports this afternoon that Darren Jones is asking around to see if anyone will help stump up the cost of the Digital ID programme. Government insiders tell Guido there is a lot of squabbling among ministers over the policy as hires take place. Currently advertising internally in the Civil Service:
Constant U-turns damage Labour’s fiscal position too. Eyes on Pat McFadden as he attempts another go at welfare savings later in the year…
Kemi Badenoch defended her decision not to force Tory councils to hold elections in May, telling GB News:
“It is Conservative policy that we should have elections, but I’m not a dictator. You know Nigel Farage, no one else makes any decisions, he’s a one-man band.”