Having looked at the October statement, we are about €11.7bn in deficit on the current account.
Looking at last year the current deficit did not increase over the final 2 months of the year, presumably due to the self assessed tax returns. These will be well down this year, but it is conceivable that it will be no more than €13bn.
Rather than set the total deficit to 3% of GDP by 2014, would it not make more sense to aim set the current budget deficit to 0% and come up with a sensible capital budget plan separately (and maybe limit that to a deficit of 3% GDP)?
I think the spirit of balancing the current budget and only borrowing to invest in capital projects would be more appropriate.
Also, does anyone have a sneaking feeling that the €15bn adjustment will turn out to be more like €12bn-€13bn when the final figures are compiled for 2010?