1 Invest money in
= spend money on = allocate money to sb./ for some purpose
Are under-funded
Are under-staffed
2 give fanancial support to ...
Face financial difficulties
Ensure equal opportunities for all students
Ensure equality in education
3 Allocate resources fairly
Give priority to ...
The government's spending priority
Divert money from A to B
It would be better to divert money from defense to developing green technologies.
Have more important concerns
The money might be better spent on...
Is a waste of public money
The high-speed rail link between London and the North is a waste of public money.
4 Improve public services
Are vital to a country's development
The decision by Monday's Investors Service is important, but not vital.
Public services: education, healthcare services, public transport services, environmental protection, state pensions, unemployment benefits, child benefits, national security.
5 Improve infrastructure
Make the economy more productive
Make the economy more competitive
Increase the competitiveness of the economy
Reduce the competitiveness of the economy
6 Are funded by the government
Public healthcare system
Public libraries and museums
Rely on the government for money
Increase the burden on taxpayers
7 Increase government revenue
Impose a tax on sth.
Impose high taxes on sth.
High taxes could be imposed on high-fat food products.
Pay taxes to the government
Is an important source of government tax revenue
8 Create jobs
Reduce poverty
Boost economic growth
Raise educational standards
Improve the healthcare system
Encourage innovation
9 Is provided by the state
State benefits, state pensions
Child benefit is provided by the state and funded by taxpayers.
10 Provide a safety net for people in need
A safety net
People in need
Basic necessities: food, clothing, housing, heating, health care, education
Basic necessities, such as health care and education, are not provided.
Low-income families
Homeless people
Live below the poverty line
Unemployed/ jobless people
Hunger and poverty
Reduce social inequality
11 Rely too much on the government
Reduce their dependence on the government
Provide them with job training
Upgrade their skills
Have a steady source of income
They have a steady source of income that covers rent and food.
Earn a living and support themselves