It’s encouraging that a major group of economists have called on the Government to abandon its cuts in public services and welfare.
It’s discouraging but all too predictable that the Government has said that it is ‘steady as she goes’ with the cuts as our country's economy stagnates.
We know the cuts are hurting but we also know they are not working.
Our country’s problem is that we have two and a half million unemployed since the bankers collapsed the economy in 2008.
The unemployed, and it’s not their fault, damage our tax base and cause our country to lose billions in tax and national insurance income, as well as cost billions in benefits.
We should be investing to get people back to work as in the 1930s (remember Keynes?) and as after the second world war and as in Japan (after a decade of cuts and stagnation) in the late 1990s.
Our country can, indeed must afford it. The UK’s debt ratio indeed is the lowest of the advanced economies.
You won’t hear the Government say this, The UK’s debt ratio is 66%, Germany's is 89%, the US's is 95% and Japan's is 200%.
If the Government won’t go for Plan B, then this Government must go.
Tim Ellis, Colne
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here