<p><br /> Chancellor George Osborne pledged to cut the budget deficit in a way that "strengthens and unites the country".<br /> </p><p><br /> In the final day's debate on the Queen's Speech, Mr Osborne said a deficit reduction plan was "unavoidable" after borrowing rocketed under Labour.<br /> </p><p><br /> But he insisted the task of reducing it and clearing up the inherited "mess" would be conducted in a way that sought to take the whole country along with the Government.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Osborne said the economy had become "deeply unbalanced" under Labour with the country borrowing £156 billion a year.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Budget would set the "overall envelope for spending" but not allocate spending between departments. This would be tackled by the spending review in the autumn.<br /> </p><p><br /> "The result of this top-down, centre knows best approach (has been) falling public sector productivity and that large budget deficit. Less for more. And we cannot afford to continue in that direction."<br /> </p>
