FG and Labour not ready to show unity yet

GIVEN the fact Fine Gael and Labour are likely to be in coalition in a few months, one might have thought there would be a strong element of agreement in their respective budget proposals.

There was some, at least, in a broad sense. Both parties believe they must stick to the target of €15 billion in spending cuts and tax hikes between now and 2014 in order to reduce the deficit.

Both believe the Government is not doing enough to create jobs, and so include stimulus plans in their proposals.