John Healey vows to again Britain and get the financial system firing once more
EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of a major speech tomorrow, John Healey set out his vision of delivering growth that the public can feel in their pocket and see in the nation’s high streets
The Chancellor vowed nothing would “stand in the way” of him delivering growth(Image: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street)
The Chancellor has vowed to back Britain and ensure nothing “stands in the way” of improving lives across the country.
Ahead of a major speech tomorrow [MON], John Healey set out his vision of delivering growth that the public can feel in their pocket and see in the nation’s high streets.
Writing in this newspaper, Mr Healey said growth meant new factories, more opportunities for young people, and communities “full of ambition”.
He said: “This is about growth that you can actually see and feel, good growth in every postcode across the UK. It’s new factories across Britain using cutting edge technologies and taking on young people.
“Small business owners finally being able to expand. Town centres and high streets seeing new life, new cafes and venues staying open. Young people building successful careers, at home or maybe further afield – but crucially where they want to.
“Britain already has the strengths it needs to succeed – global financial centres, cutting edge science and technology, world class universities and most importantly, communities full of ambition and enterprise. So the question is: what’s stopping us?
“Tomorrow, as your Chancellor, I’ll set out my plan to deliver good growth in every postcode by making the most of Britain’s strengths.”
The Chancellor previously announced changes to Treasury rules aimed at helping to speed up regional regeneration across the country.
It comes after Mr Healey told the Financial Times he would ensure the UK emerges from his first Budget on October 28 with a solid “buffer against uncertainty”, in the face of concerns about the impact of the US’s war with Iran.
Economists have warned budgets could be squeezed by the inflation caused from the conflict.
This could limit Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s ambitions to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, and spending plans across his wider agenda for Government.
Vowing to address the global headwinds, he added: “The answer to an uncertain world is not to sit back and hope for the best. It’s to back ourselves.
“Britain’s greatest strength has always been our talent, graft and ambition. Let’s make sure nothing will stand in our way.”
It is understood Mr Healey spent the summer developing the plans, speaking to economic experts including the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The Chancellor and Mr Burnham are understood to have met several times to discuss growth, including over beers and a takeaway curry in Downing Street during the summer.
In his first statement in the Commons this week, Mr Burnham said Britain’s next decade can be better than the last and promised “much more substantial change” on the big issues facing the country.
