Sir, – The Budget giveaways discussed by Jennifer Bray in “Budget 2025, what we know so far: Inheritance tax, lump sums and free schoolbooks” (Analysis, August 10th), while attractive in the short term, do little to cater for political and other storms ahead. Disregarding, yet again, existing rules on government spending does nothing to address our national proclivity to play fast and loose with what should be regarded as sound economic principles. We’ve already had Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe preparing the Government’s promotional groundwork in the press the other day in his efforts to explain why he’s not prepared to comply with the spending cap. At a time of potential overheating of the economy, one might have expected a degree of prudence, despite all that cash in the bank, bearing in mind the potentially huge bills for climate change, health and pensions that lie in wait. A degree of consolidation and less emphasis on the chimera of constantly chasing growth are sound ideas to put into practice when the winds of change blow strongly. That shiny Christmas toy is not so appealing when the roof blows off, is it? – Yours, etc,
ALASTAIR CONAN,
Coulsdon,
London.
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Sir, – Despite being at a unique point in history where money is available for capital expenditure from continued “unexpected” bumper tax revenues, the Government has been reckless in ignoring population growth. We have outgrown our housing capacity, maxed out our national services, let our Defence Forces dwindle, all the while patting ourselves on the back. The Government throws money at problems or hopes market forces will correct fundamentals.
How can the Government have so few ideas? Is there no ambition?
The worst decisions are made during the best of times.
There will be nothing to show for these bumper years, except a larger population, and that’s not an acceptable return. – Yours, etc,
SEOSAIMH O’SHEA,
Barna,
Galway.