What should we expect in the budget?
Summary
Pat Kenny discusses the upcoming Irish budget with economists Austin Hughes and Edgar Morganroth, debating whether the government’s "cost of living" framing is appropriate. They argue that while short-term support like income tax indexation is necessary to cushion inflation, long-term resilience requires increased infrastructure investment and maintaining a broad tax base. The guests also address the tension between pushing for carbon reduction through fuel prices and the immediate financial strain on the "squeezed middle" class.
Topics discussed
Sponsorship: Shopify Black Friday
Introduction to the upcoming budget
Framing the budget: Workers vs Cost of Living
Critique of government framing and expectations
Economic inequality and global political unrest
Housing crisis and who feels left behind
Limits of government control over global markets
Austin Hughes' ideal budget priorities
Edgar Morganroth on fuel taxes and carbon emissions
The reality of the 'squeezed middle' and EVs
Prudence vs expansionary spending and tax base
The danger of narrowing the tax base
Closing remarks and thanks to guests
Sponsorship: Building Ireland recruitment
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