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Why are the public finances not already fixed?

If the fiscal squeeze had gone to plan, no more austerity would now be needed. The assumption that the recovery would be strong and tax-friendly was misplaced. The next government should be dealt a better hand, with stronger growth in nominal GDP – and crucially wages – eroding the deficit. That said, parties’ plans to raise income tax thresholds sharply risk undermining the public finances again.


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