Just like that! 200,000 jobs and the Government’s magic trick
In its first Budget, the Government managed to generate a correction of over €3bn without touching headline rates of tax or welfare, apart from a VAT increase that will barely break even. Magic, surely? This post explores the magic trick and finds it relies on the sleight of hand of assuming the equivalent of 200,000 new jobs in 2012, while still not grasping the nettle of reforming the three main areas of Government spending: social welfare, health and education. Read more