Comments on: Public spending – a looming trilemma? http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/politics/public-spending-the-looming-trilemma/ Politics, brains, social action and the day to day life of the RSA’s chief executive Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:39:05 +0000 hourly 1 By: The Election Quadrilemma? « The 2020 Public Services Trust Blog http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/politics/public-spending-the-looming-trilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-5778 The Election Quadrilemma? « The 2020 Public Services Trust Blog Tue, 04 May 2010 13:38:57 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1743#comment-5778 [...] and open international markets a plausible mix?  I find it hard enough getting my head around Matthew Taylor’s trilemmas, but could this be a quadrilemma?  This would be a situation where three out of four objectives [...] [...] and open international markets a plausible mix?  I find it hard enough getting my head around Matthew Taylor’s trilemmas, but could this be a quadrilemma?  This would be a situation where three out of four objectives [...]

]]> By: Beware false spending cuts : Matthew Taylor’s blog http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/politics/public-spending-the-looming-trilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-1753 Beware false spending cuts : Matthew Taylor’s blog Wed, 06 May 2009 09:08:01 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1743#comment-1753 [...] can close the funding gap simply by getting rid of unpopular one-off programmes. The reality is – as I argued last week – that the coming spending crisis will only be tackled if we are willing to look bravely and [...] [...] can close the funding gap simply by getting rid of unpopular one-off programmes. The reality is – as I argued last week – that the coming spending crisis will only be tackled if we are willing to look bravely and [...]

]]> By: matthewtaylor http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/politics/public-spending-the-looming-trilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-1751 matthewtaylor Wed, 06 May 2009 07:38:44 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1743#comment-1751 Hi Will. It is a difficult issue. The classic trilemma is in welfare benefit/pensions policy and comprises; controlling spending, targeting the poor and maintaining work/savings incentives. There are lots of problems with means testing (most obviously the poverty trap) but universal benefits are very expensive. Thanks for the comment. Hi Will. It is a difficult issue. The classic trilemma is in welfare benefit/pensions policy and comprises; controlling spending, targeting the poor and maintaining work/savings incentives. There are lots of problems with means testing (most obviously the poverty trap) but universal benefits are very expensive. Thanks for the comment.

]]> By: carl allen http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/politics/public-spending-the-looming-trilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-1745 carl allen Mon, 04 May 2009 19:10:14 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1743#comment-1745 CORRECTION Consultation is a substitute for analysis of an issue is present practice but present practice is not good practice. CORRECTION

Consultation is a substitute for analysis of an issue is present practice but present practice is not good practice.

]]> By: WP http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/politics/public-spending-the-looming-trilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-1741 WP Sat, 02 May 2009 21:24:28 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1743#comment-1741 Matthew - interesting article. I'm sure you're right that there will be a crucial debate over the coming years of whether we really are now in an age of austerity. The Tories are possibly going to be coming into power at a time when both the economic and political circumstances, are more favourable to retrenchment of the welfare state than when Thatcher came to power in 79. Do you not believe that in terms of protecting universalism, New Labour should have avoided the numerous moves towards selective means-testing of benefits? While the arguments for increased selectivity may have seemed favourable, i'm sure you agree that each move towards selectivity weakens the coalitions needed to sustain the welfare state during economic downturns, and periods when a centre-right government is in control, let alone when both are combined. Matthew – interesting article. I’m sure you’re right that there will be a crucial debate over the coming years of whether we really are now in an age of austerity. The Tories are possibly going to be coming into power at a time when both the economic and political circumstances, are more favourable to retrenchment of the welfare state than when Thatcher came to power in 79.
Do you not believe that in terms of protecting universalism, New Labour should have avoided the numerous moves towards selective means-testing of benefits? While the arguments for increased selectivity may have seemed favourable, i’m sure you agree that each move towards selectivity weakens the coalitions needed to sustain the welfare state during economic downturns, and periods when a centre-right government is in control, let alone when both are combined.

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