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Spending Review 2013: History Repeating?

Colin Talbot By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: June 15, 2013

As the Spending Review (26 June) draws closer, speculation is rife about whether or not, and how, George Osborne will achieve the extra £11.5 billion in savings from welfare and departmental spending in 2015-16 that he is said to want. So far only about £3.6bn has been agreed, and the rest is the subject of fierce fighting across Whitehall.

In this context I found this fascinating section in a book about the history of the UK Treasury:

“ The retrenchment scheme of 22 July 1668, which made a detailed apportionment of the king’s annual expenditure, totalling £746,475 15s 10d plus £250,000 for interest charges and contingencies, was the product of a Privy Council sub-committee of five (alter seven) senior ministers and five Treasury Lords. In their proceedings the onus lay primarily on the ministers to make economies in the departments – the various branches of the royal household, the forces, the pension list, embassies, etc. Initially, they worked with pathetic timidity: ‘the Cormorant Keeper to be taken away by which will be saved £84. Keeper of the Volary cut off, £30.’ In November 1667 Charles was presented with an estimate that, against revenue of less than £900,000 p.a. he must set an annual expenditure of £1, 242, 855 16s 8d. Dismayed, he ordered the committee to try again….” (The Treasury 1660-1870, Henry Roseveare, 1973).

Sounds familiar?

About Colin Talbot

Colin Talbot is a Professor of Government, a former Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee and the Public Administration Select Committee and has appeared as expert witness many times in Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and NI Assembly. He's also advised Governments from the USA to Japan.

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