Experts have cast doubt on the Chancellor's plan to make her sums add up by saving billions through 'technical efficiency gains', slashing admin spending and clamping down on tax.
The Treasury said it planned to make more use of artificial intelligence, reforming the workforce – including through job cuts – and selling off its London property portfolio.
The plans are forecast to save £13.8 billion a year by 2028/29 – including £9 billion a year from the health and social care budget alone.
At the same time, a drive to recover more owed taxes is predicted to deliver a £7.5 billion annual gain by 2029/30.
And government department administration costs will be culled by 11 per cent by the time of the next election, the Treasury projects – with another huge cut pencilled in for 2026 which will take the savings to 16 per cent, or £2.2 billion.
