The public finances are "far worse than even independent forecasters have predicted"

So reports Robert Winnett, Deputy Political Editor of the Telegraph. He writes about Alistair Darling acting as a lightening rod for Gordon Brown, diverting criticism from our glorious leader. The part that most interested me was this line "Last week, Whitehall's top permanent secretaries were called to a meeting to be told that the public finances are "far worse than even independent forecasters have predicted", according to one well-placed source."

It is no more than I have been saying for many months now, the economy is screwed and it has been screwed by Gordon Brown's ineptitude. We will all pay for his lack of foresight and ability, whilst he retires on his index-linked, gold plated pension.