Former Cabinet Sec: Britain never on “brink of bankruptcy”

Green Politics

A key premise of George Osborne's argument for rapid spending cuts has been questioned by former civil service boss, Lord Andrew Turnbull.

A key premise of George Osborne’s argument for rapid spending cuts has been questioned by former civil service boss, Lord Andrew Turnbull.

Responding to questions from Chuka Umunna MP, the former Cabinet Secretary said it he didn’t agree with Osborne’s claim that Britain had been on the “brink of bankruptcy” and that Britain was never at risk of a sovereign debt crisis.

Watch it:

UMUNNA: Do you think it’s accurate to describe the UK as being on the brink of bankruptcy?

TURNBULL: No I don’t. But I think it was essential, for a slightly different reason, to have a deficit reduction programme.

The Chancellor claimed in his spending review speech last week that Britain had been on the “brink of bankruptcy”. Lord Turnbull also poured water on fears expressed by Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne among others over a Greek-style sovereign debt default:

“I always thought that we were capable of producing a financial settlement that wouldn’t take us into Irish or Greek problems. Secondly, a very large part of our debt was domestically held. If people are going to sell gilts they’ve got to buy something else. Who are these great shining example of people who are issuing really rock solid debt that you want to buy?”

Lord Turnbull also said that Liam Fox’s letter to David Cameron was “written to be leaked“.

Gordon Brown, once described by Turnbull as running the Treasury with “Stalinist ruthlessness” was not spared by the former civil servant. Turnbull said Brown’s settlement letters in the 2000 and 2002 spending reviews were “arrogant and offensive” and that the Golden Rule had the effect of worsening boom and bust.

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33 Responses to “Former Cabinet Sec: Britain never on “brink of bankruptcy””

  1. John Hickey-Fry

    RT @leftfootfwd: Former Cabinet Secretary Andrew Turnbull says Britain was never on "brink of bankruptcy" http://bit.ly/cRYYM6

  2. Liam McKee

    RT @wdjstraw: Key premise of Osborne's #SR10 undermined by Ex-Cab Sec Lord Turnbull – Britain never on "brink of bankruptcy" http://bit.ly/cRYYM6

  3. Jonathan

    RT @wdjstraw: Key premise of Osborne's #SR10 undermined by Ex-Cab Sec Lord Turnbull – Britain never on "brink of bankruptcy" http://bit.ly/cRYYM6

  4. Kevin Richards

    Finally the Myth is being dispelled RT @leftfootfwd: Former Cabinet Sec: Britain never on "brink of bankruptcy" http://bit.ly/be58r7

  5. David Hodgson

    RT @pmphillips: RT @leftfootfwd: Former Cabinet Sec Andrew Turnbull says UK was never on "brink of bankruptcy" http://bit.ly/cRYYM6

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