Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Duchy of Lancaster – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 1 April 2009.
Liam Byrne
Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
11:30,
1 April 2009
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why, in contrast to the early 1980s, when public net investment fell in real terms from about £16 billion to just £11 billion, we will take precisely the opposite course of action. One cannot cut one's way out of a recession; one can only grow one's way out of a recession. That is why this Government are committed to increasing investment, strengthening public services and doing everything possible to help those coming out of work. We do not believe that unemployment is a price worth paying, unlike the Conservative party.