'More funding needed to make Sainsbury reforms reality'

Any response would be a sign that Theresa May’s cabinet is responsive to lobbying on spending and could set the tone for the debate in future. But even if there are more funds for urgent problems, it is likely there will be compensating tax announcements to fund them. For example, there is talk of allowing councils to use increases in business rate income to fund social care. If so, it would be part of a wider trend to reserve – or hypothecate – a particular tax to fund a service. In our sector, the apprenticeship levy will be used to fund apprenticeship training. In schools, the soft drink levy – the sugar tax – has been earmarked to provide funds for school sport from 2018 onwards.