The Cost of Abandoning Austerity

The chancellor is facing widespread calls for more spending. Should he listen, or stick to his deficit reduction plan?

Senior Conservatives are calling for more public spending on things like public sector pay - but Philip Hammond is committed to what he himself calls 'the long slog of austerity'.

David Aaronovitch invites a range of experts into The Briefing Room to help him understand the arguments around public spending, and asks if the UK should ditch austerity?

Guests include Paul Johnson from the IFS and economists Ann Pettifor and Tim Besley.