A billion here and a billion there

I have been driving a great deal today and on the news there were two stories that grabbed my attention.

My former colleague, the excellent journalist Chris Giles’ report on how much the Chancellor cost us tax payers by cocking up his gilts insurance, £11b. Then the amount spent on the wrong PPE, £4 bn. Which the government refuses to apologise for because “we don’t apologise for trying to buy PPE” -trying being the main word here.

Then there is the money lost to Covid business fraud, £16 bn and all of sudden you are talking serious money.

There may be other losses but. which former Chancellor has lost £27 billion, (£31 if you count the PPE mess).

And no heads have rolled, not one.

How many ambulances, A&E doctors and hospital beds could £35 BN buy, how much does a nurses pay rise cost? How much a cut in fuel duty?

It’s almost like the old adage that Tory governments are best because the bosses know what they doing is wrong. I bet the Chancellor takes better care of his money.

Jonty’s Jottings

Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.

By Jonty Bloom

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