I believe that the changes are manageable, and they are the right thing to do. The hon. Gentleman might want to make his point to those on the Conservative Front Bench, who as I understand it want to go further and faster. There is a risk of damaging the economy if that happens. Inevitably, these are matters of judgment, but I am very happy to justify why we have had to borrow so much at the present time. However, if we are going to get sustainable growth in future, it is important that we get that borrowing down. To halve it over a four-year period is a reasonable thing to do and a reasonable rate at which to do it. To go further than that—and to make that judgment at the present time, when there is so much uncertainty—would be hugely damaging to the economy and would present a terrible risk, especially when the Opposition are contemplating spending even more money on top of that.
Fiscal Responsibility Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Lord Darling of Roulanish
(Labour)
in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 5 January 2010.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Fiscal Responsibility Bill.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
503 c69-70 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
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Timestamp
2023-12-11 10:02:39 +0000
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