Kemi Badenoch on The Economy

Kemi Badenoch positions the economy around the central theme of 'getting Britain working again,' arguing that current conditions, particularly under the Labour government, make work unrewarding or not financially viable for many, evidenced by rising unemployment and stagnation in graduate job numbers. She critiques the incumbent administration's approach as one of 'managed decline,' characterized by excessive taxation, red tape that stifles business, and a reliance on welfare that she believes discourages effort. Central to her economic plan is fiscal responsibility, which she encapsulates in a 'golden rule' mandating that at least half of all savings derived from spending cuts must be used to reduce the national deficit, prioritizing the burden on future generations.

Her proposed remedies focus on supply-side stimulus and rebalancing the welfare system, suggesting that the remaining savings from cuts—identified in areas like welfare, aid, and the civil service—will fund targeted tax reductions. Key measures include abolishing business rates for high street properties, scrapping stamp duty, and doubling apprenticeships to improve skills matching and career opportunities. She views reward matching effort as fundamental fairness, contrasting this with what she perceives as the governing party's focus on equal outcomes leading to economic stagnation and a culture of risk aversion.