Can you judge a book by its cover? The design of today's Budget text (online and hard copy) tells us something important (and welcome) about the new Government. Labour had long abandoned the plain red covers that traditionally wrapped the budget statement, in favour of a glossy brochure advertising its achievements; in 2009 it was shamelessly entitled Building Britain's Future. Today we see a welcome return to tradition. Plain red, no hype, it's called Budget 2010. With a minimum of fanfare, the text carries clear, descriptive headings and sub headings. No pictures. Great.
OK, so there's still a message the Government wants us to receive: austerity, honesty, no more waste. But it's a good message and if this new style permeates every department, every government announcement and consultation, so much the better. Every enthusiast for smaller government should be pleased about this.