Hammond `would need £19bn a year to meet May`s end of cuts vow`
(The Guardian Business News)

Aim unlikely to be compatible with balancing the books, says IFS in pre-budget viewPhilip Hammond will need £19bn from higher taxes, extra borrowing or faster-than-expected growth if this month´s budget is to fulfil the prime minister´s promises to end austerity and boost NHS spending, according to the UK´s leading experts on the public finances.The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the pledge by Theresa May at this year´s Conservative party conference to end eight years of cuts was `unlikely` to be compatible with the chancellor´s aim of balancing the nation´s books unless some tough decisions were made. Continue reading...