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16/09/2009
Osborne 'Reveals' Brown's Cuts
The government is planning a 10% cut in departmental spending over the next four years, according to Shadow Chancellor George Osborne.
Mr Osborne accused Gordon Brown of 'misleading' parliament over budgetary plans, after obtaining a leaked document purporting to show Labour's public expenditure strategy.
According to the Treasury figures, attained by Mr Osborne, spending within state departments will be slashed by 9.3%.
The Shadow Chancellor, speaking to the BBC, said his party would release the full 22-page report later.
Treasury officials have refused to comment on the leak. Mr Osborne claimed the Prime Minister had earlier told MPs there were no plans to cut spending by 10%.
"It's about trust and honesty... what they show - these are the internal government projections for spending - and they show that the government has been planning since the Budget a near 10% cut in departmental budgets," Mr Osborne told the Today programme.
"And now we know that Gordon Brown misled the public, misled Parliament, was not telling the truth, was sitting all the time on internal Treasury documents telling him the real truth."
He criticised Mr Brown for having branded Tory leader David Cameron 'Mr 10%' in debates following the last budget.
Addressing union delegates yesterday, Mr Brown used the word 'cuts' for the first time.
He and colleagues such as Lord Mandelson and Chancellor Alistair Darling had earlier skirted around the issue, instead discussing the 'prioritising' of funding.
The Prime Minister told the TUC he would "cut costs, cut inefficiencies, cut unnecessary programmes and cut lower priority budgets".
However, he denied the government would support cuts to front line services.
(PR/GK)
Mr Osborne accused Gordon Brown of 'misleading' parliament over budgetary plans, after obtaining a leaked document purporting to show Labour's public expenditure strategy.
According to the Treasury figures, attained by Mr Osborne, spending within state departments will be slashed by 9.3%.
The Shadow Chancellor, speaking to the BBC, said his party would release the full 22-page report later.
Treasury officials have refused to comment on the leak. Mr Osborne claimed the Prime Minister had earlier told MPs there were no plans to cut spending by 10%.
"It's about trust and honesty... what they show - these are the internal government projections for spending - and they show that the government has been planning since the Budget a near 10% cut in departmental budgets," Mr Osborne told the Today programme.
"And now we know that Gordon Brown misled the public, misled Parliament, was not telling the truth, was sitting all the time on internal Treasury documents telling him the real truth."
He criticised Mr Brown for having branded Tory leader David Cameron 'Mr 10%' in debates following the last budget.
Addressing union delegates yesterday, Mr Brown used the word 'cuts' for the first time.
He and colleagues such as Lord Mandelson and Chancellor Alistair Darling had earlier skirted around the issue, instead discussing the 'prioritising' of funding.
The Prime Minister told the TUC he would "cut costs, cut inefficiencies, cut unnecessary programmes and cut lower priority budgets".
However, he denied the government would support cuts to front line services.
(PR/GK)
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Five More Govt Departments Agree Spending Cuts
Chancellor George Osborne and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander have reached agreements on cuts to spending with the Home Office, Department for Rural Affairs, Department for Culture Media and Sport, Scotland, Wales and Law Offices They join 10 other government departments to reach an agreement with Osborne over cuts ahead of his spen
Five More Govt Departments Agree Spending Cuts
Chancellor George Osborne and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander have reached agreements on cuts to spending with the Home Office, Department for Rural Affairs, Department for Culture Media and Sport, Scotland, Wales and Law Offices They join 10 other government departments to reach an agreement with Osborne over cuts ahead of his spen
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
