Not "a good idea"

The BBC reluctantly report that:

"Olivier Blanchard, the IMF's chief economist, said that the temporary cut in VAT would not significantly influence shoppers' behaviour.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, Mr Blanchard said he did not think the cut was "a good idea". "

Mr Blanchard is an economist, what qualifications for being Chancellor of the Exchequer did Gordon Brown have?