17 Dec 2024
Half-year update reveals bleak economic outlook in near term
The government opened its books today - revealing the economic outlook for the near term is looking pretty bleak. A lower tax take and higher Crown expenses deliver continued budget deficits - with a surplus pushed out to 2028/29. After a big year of public spending cuts it's becoming clearer just how much more is still to come. Our political reporter Anneke Smith has more.