While Boy George makes desperate and false allegations against the Prime Minister in a deliberate attempt to conceal plans to cut investment in schools and Sure Start children’s centres, Conservative economic plans are descending into chaos. Last night Boy George tried to claim that he could not set out how he would make cuts to public services because he did not have enough information. But both he and Michael Gove were then forced to admit that they had already taken a decision that the schools' budget would be cut. Meanwhile this morning Andrew Lansley made yet another limitless spending commitment on the Health Service and said that 'it’s a fallacy' to say that his latest health spending commitment 'depends on how much money the government has'.
George Osborne: We've taken a tough decision, which is to protect health spending – I could have put health spending into the pot - I'm also protecting international development spending because we've made some moral commitments to the rest of the world. That means... Nick Robinson: Are you protecting schools? George Osborne: I'm not protecting other areas at this stage. Nick Robinson: Are you protecting Sure Start? George Osborne: I'm not protecting other areas... George Osborne, BBC News, 30 June 2009
Under pressure, last night Michael Gove was forced to admit that Boy George would make cuts to schools.
Jeremy Paxman: OK, I’ve got it here. “We are going to increase resources for international development aid. We are going to increase resources for schools but that does mean over three years after 2011 a 10% reduction in departmental budgets”. Now that’s what he [Lansley] said? Michael Gove: Well we’re going to increase resources for international development and health from 2010/11… Jeremy Paxman: And schools he said? Michael Gove: No no, we’re not… Jeremy Paxman: That’s what he said? Michael Gove: That was inaccurate. Jeremy Paxman and Michael Gove, Newsnight, 30 June 2009
