Sajid Javid announces fast-tracked spending review

Chancellor Sajid Javid on Thursday (8) announced that a review of Whitehall spending will be fast-tracked to honour pledges to public services.

Spending reviews typically happen every two to three years, and Javid said a "fast-tracked" spending review would "clear the ground ahead of Brexit while delivering on people's priorities."

The review would pursue prime minister Boris Johnson's desire to increase school funding, meet NHS pledges and fund 20,000 extra police officers.

Javid said: “The prime minister and I have asked for a fast-tracked spending round for September to set departmental budgets for next year. This will clear the ground ahead of Brexit while delivering on people’s priorities.

“We will get Brexit done by 31 October and put our country on the road to a brighter future.”

Following the announcement, shadow Chancellor John McDonnell accused the Government of "pre-election panic measures". McDonnell also said the government was playing a "dangerous game" with public finances and warned against going ahead with a "disastrous no-deal" Brexit.

"Johnson is splashing a little bit of cash as a publicity stunt, but keeping the door open for even more austerity if a no deal Brexit breaks the economy," McDonnell was quoted as saying.

He added: "Worryingly, a one-year spending review means that the Government is able to turn off the taps of any additional spending after the first year. There are also gaping holes in the spending plans – nowhere near enough for our NHS or our schools or our local councils, nothing to lift children out of poverty, nothing to end the pain caused by the Tories’ Universal Credit, or to scrap the bedroom tax or the cuts in support for disabled people.

McDonnell said the Tories have dumped any pretense of having a long-term economic plan and said Johnson cannot be trusted with the country's economy.

"None of our public services will be able to prepare for anything beyond the next year. This is no way to run a budget or a country," he said. "The Government that has been driving us headlong into a disastrous no deal is now playing dangerous games with spending. It’s clear Boris Johnson can’t be trusted with the UK’s economy."