When the coalition came to power in 2010 they published the "coalition agreement" that set out their priorities and "balancing the books" was given top billing. Their plan was to reduce UK deficit to zero in one parliament. How are the doing four years in?
Well these are the figures as at Feb 2014.
So as we can see the deficit is reducing but progress is painfully slow and way off the original forecast.
They are now saying that the deficit will be reduced to zero by 2018/19. Do you believe them?
Well looking at the progress towards zero at the current rate that target will not be met. That is why two things have to happen.
1. Growth needs to return in big numbers
2. Spending needs even more cuts
This is why whatever party wins in 2015 we can expect more of the same and we will have at least ten years of misery. Surely there is a better way.
Try this for a start: http://www.centreforwelfarereform.org/library/by-date/basic-income-security.html
