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Rishi Sunak's post-Covid budget: Former Government economist reveals the hidden winners (and losers)

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Episode notes

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced his post-Covid Spring budget and in general, has received a good reaction from Westminster and the public - but who misses out in the Chancellor's spending? And who will pay for the Government's £400bn+ of fiscal support? Economist Miatta Fahnbulleh is the Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation, a British think-tank promoting "social, economic and environmental justice". She has worked in government under Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron. Miatta hopes the Government can #BuildBackBetter from the pandemic - a chance to take a fresh look at the economy and build a greener that provides a few basic things for every family; a good job, enough food for their children, quality care and a warm home on a healthy planet. She tells Andy Bell that the Chancellor's spending plans don't go far enough and that the tax policies he's freezing and changing could be altered altogether so that those who have done well out of the pandemic can pay for those who are struggling. Miatta warns that while the budget has responded well, on the whole, to support the economy through a pandemic, she's concerned that as the UK leaves lockdown and the grasp of Covid the support will be dropped and those who needed it will be ignored or forgotten about. How did we get here? Explaining the news is a podcast from 5 News. Join Andy Bell as he explains the world's biggest news stories through interviews with politicians, experts, and analysts.