What to expect...

A recent edition of The Economist (Sep 26-Oct 2) has its wish list of cuts: the extension of VAT to food, ending free bus travel for pensioners, ending winter fuel payments to pensioners, means-testing child benefit... The "Tobin tax"? Obviously a very bad idea. Elsewhere in the same issue: the Tories are planning the wholesale privatisation of schools (currently they are to be "not-for-profit" but that could - will - change). And at their conference the Tories (while leaving their precious inheritance tax untouched) outlined their plans to freeze public-sector wages, end tax-credits for thousands of families, and raise the retirement age (which won't affect those with enough dosh to be able to retire early). A more recent edition of The Economist (October10-16) praises Osbone ("That's More Like It") and adds a few more items to the wish list: closing Sure Start Centres, and raising university tuition fees. And after the election: will the minimum wage survive? pension credit? public libraries? Will there be a private-insurance model for health? Just because its not in the Tory Manifesto doesn't mean it won't happen...