Strauss played a lone hand with 63 as England's 228-9 at the Rose Bowl was easily overhauled by the tourists.

BBC: Strauss bemoans 'Groundhog Day'

Since Labour's backbench revolt over last autumn's cuts in lone-parent benefits, the government has shown a propensity to hand out more money, helped by its bulging coffers amid an economic boom: more for families, pensioners, disabled people and child care.

ECONOMIST: From Beveridge to Blair