Finger-pointing between the Opposition and the Government - over the effects of spending cuts

Yesterday's Treasury half year economic and fiscal update reveals the Crown books will stay in a deficit longer than signalled in May's Budget.

National's Mark Mitchell says in Government, Labour was driving the country into a financial ditch.

He says they are having to make cuts to put the country in a solid position.

Labour's Ginny Andersen says she's not sure the Government knows how to manage current conditions.

She says we're seeing austerity - and is sounding the alarm about the economic impact of public sector job cuts.