PM outlines plans for 2008
6 January 2008
Gordon Brown has explained the Government's plans to deal with key challenges such as housing, energy, security and the economy.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Observer newspaper, the Prime Minister highlighted the Housing Bill, with proposals to build three million homes, and legislation on projects such as Crossrail and Heathrow as providing major benefits for the infrastructure of the UK.
On energy and the issue of nuclear power, the PM said the Government "will not shirk" from making difficult decisions for the future. Enterprise Secretary John Hutton will publish the Government's proposals next week.
The PM said:
"The only way Britain can be great in the future, both in terms of its prosperity and in terms of the cohesion of our country, is by people who are prepared through thick and thin, and through bad times and good times, to take what are difficult long-term decisions, even if at times it may be easier to do simpler or less difficult things."
The Prime Minister said the Government would press ahead with plans for ID cards and welcomed further debate on the issue as a means of dispelling popular misconceptions. An extension to the permitted detention period of suspected terrorists and efforts to win "hearts and minds" were also important steps in improving the security of the nation, he said.
The PM also said that 2008 would be "one of the most difficult years for the world economy", but that Britain was "better placed than most" to withstand the global turbulence due to its low level of inflation.
Image copyright: Reuters
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