Rachel Reeves must break her fiscal rules. Better now than later | Phillip Inman
Briefly

Critics of Rachel Reeves highlight her budget plan’s impracticality, citing its minimal flexibility to adapt to unforeseen economic events, with just 10bn headroom in a 1.2tn budget. This level of financial restraint stands in contrast to previous chancellors who maintained a larger buffer to manage fluctuating forecasts. The Office for Budget Responsibility has pointed out that this rigid approach is among the weakest seen since its establishment in 2010. Historical austerity measures set by George Osborne also complicate Reeves' objectives for economic stimulation, as they create pressure against leaving large sums unspent.
The criticism of Rachel Reeves centers on the impracticality of a budget plan with insufficient flexibility to address unforeseen economic events. Her budget headroom of less than 10bn on a 1.2tn budget is seen as overly ambitious.
Reeves' rejection of flexibility in her budget means she might struggle to handle necessary economic fluctuations, which could lead to uncertainties in public finances.
The Office for Budget Responsibility has indicated that Reeves’ approach is one of the most rigid since its inception, neglecting the need for a larger buffer against unpredictable economic shifts.
The historical context reveals that former Chancellor George Osborne's austerity measures have influenced current fiscal strategies, making it challenging for Reeves to maintain stimulating economic growth while holding a significant financial reserve.
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