I wish to raise the issue of spending control, cost control and improved outputs in various Departments. This issue does not get enough of a hearing in this Chamber. We should not assume spending increases should automatically match economic growth. Often when we spend more, we feed inefficiencies. All increased spending must be matched by improved outputs and all existing spending should be justified. This will automatically lead to better public services. In terms of overall spending growth, I want to draw a clear distinction between current and capital expenditure. There are parallels between capital spending and a company making investments in, say, equipment, machinery or automation. There are real returns. If the electricity grid, rail network or broadband network is upgraded, the economy will run more efficiently. Our taxpayers fund this spending; who is speaking up for the taxpayer?

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It feeds inefficiencies.

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