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Economic Recovery

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We need to focus on the future and the steps that we need to take not only to get us through the recovery in the best possible shape, but to ensure that we lay firm foundations so that the UK can be competitive in the future. As the world’s economy emerges from the downturn, major new opportunities for British businesses will emerge, including, as my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Joan Walley) said, initiatives to green our economy. However, global competition is getting tougher, technological change is always accelerating and, as other countries invest and raise their skill levels in high-value sectors, we cannot afford to stand back. That is why we must continue to invest to ensure a sustainable future and to build our future economic strength, as my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) rightly said.