Budget 2026: Policies today, problems tomorrow

John Healey’s “breathing space” budget was short on big decisions but big on smaller, immediate measures – so did it all add up? Nick Garland, a former speechwriter to ex-chancellor Rachel Reeves, joins the podcast team to explore the significance of Healey’s big day.

There are always winners and losers in budgets – so who did well? What choices have Healey and Andy Burnham left for another day? And are there really more civil service efficiency savings to be made?

Plus: Ringfencing preventative budgets. One of the IfG’s longstanding recommendations has been taken on by John Healey. We’re going to take a closer look.

Hannah White presents.

With Tom Pope, Giles Wilkes and Hannah Keenan.

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