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Amendment of the law

If the hon. Gentleman listens, he is welcome to intervene. The national debt went down from 42 per cent. to 36 per cent., including the £22 billion of spectrum auction proceeds. It is also true—I make no bones about it—that we did choose to invest in schools and hospitals, which the Opposition opposed at every step; that we did choose to invest in public transport, housing and all the things that matter; that we did fix the roof when the sun was shining; and that, for example, as a result, tens of thousands of children are being taught in schools where that was done. I shall discuss the future, because it is important, and the three questions that underlie the Budget debate. The parties have some big differences on those questions, which are worth highlighting. First, how do we get Britain out of recession as quickly as possible? That is what people want to know. Secondly, how do we build the economy of the future? Thirdly, how do we meet the challenges that we face, including those on the public finances, in a way that is fair to ordinary families? I know that the shadow Chancellor does not really want to do this, but let us try to engage with the substance of the argument, because on the question of how get Britain out of recession, we have an honest difference of view, which it is probably better to make plain. Yesterday, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced a 0.5 per cent. fiscal easing this year. I assume the shadow Chancellor thinks that that is the wrong thing to do to help Britain out of recession; that the money to help tackle unemployment is the wrong thing to do; that the money for housing is the wrong thing to do—if he wants to intervene and say that it is the right thing to do, he is welcome to do so—and that the money for low-carbon measures which will help this year and next is the wrong thing to do. Perhaps he would like to tell us whether he supports such action. I should be happy to give way to him.