LONDON – Neither the ruling Conservatives nor opposition Labour parties are offering “credible” spending plans ahead of the general election, an influential research group said yesterday.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said it was “highly likely” the Tories – as the Conservatives are called – would end up spending more than their manifesto pledges.
Labour, it warned, would be unable to deliver its spending increases as it has promised.
Neither party was being “honest” with voters, IFS director Paul Johnson said.
The Liberal Democrats’ manifesto, he said, would involve lower levels of borrowing than under Labour or the Conservatives, but would still be seen as “radical” in “most periods”.
However, he added that, given the uncertainty around Brexit, it was difficult to determine what the exact effects of the three parties’ offers would be.
Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have all published their manifestos, including spending and taxation plans, ahead of the December 12 general election. (BBC)
