PoliticsUK plan to ringfence preventive spending could reshape government and spark budget fights

John Healey’s budget proposes protecting spending on preventive projects when future savings are expected to exceed the initial cost. The policy could reshape spending reviews, but eligibility remains unclear and may fuel new disputes between departments and the Treasury.

UK governmentpreventive spendingbudgetpublic finances

TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-10-31 15:00Original