Quakers and the cuts
Stuart White questions the Quaker statement on government cuts.
On 4 October the Religious Society of Friends issued a news release titled ‘Quakers oppose unfair government cuts.’ Following discussions with Friends in Oxford, I have been encouraged to share my concerns about this statement. I think there are at least two weaknesses with its substance. I am also unclear about the process behind it. First, why are no alternatives to spending cuts recognised? It is crucial to distinguish, as the 4 October statement does not, between cutting the deficit and cutting spending. There is a vigorous debate over the relative contribution that can/should be made by fairer taxation, economic growth and spending cuts, to bring down the deficit.
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