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