![]() |
|
UK outspends Germany By Kirsty Walker - Political Correspondent - Daily Mail, December 20, 2006 Spending on public services will be higher in the UK next year than it is in Germany, one of Europe's notoriously high-spending nations. Figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) illustrate the scale of Gordon Brown's extravagance and the mounting tax burden on families. The OECD says the UK tax burden next year will be the fourth highest of any major industrialised nation. Campaigners called last night for the Chancellor to cut taxes. Mr Brown's public spending will consume 45.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year, higher than Germany's 45.1%.Throughout the 1990s Britain's tax take was consistently below that of Germany, but it began to rise once Labour took power in 1997.Corin Taylor, head of research at the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Britain's economy will feel the pinch with businesses and jobs going overseas. The prudent course would be to get a grip on public spending and cut taxes now."A Treasury spokesman said: "As the OECD recognises, actual tax to GDP ratios are a result of stronger economic growth in the UK economy, not tax increases."If you have suggestions for additional subjects, or material to include in the pages linked to the subjects listed, please contact the webmaster.
|