Darling frank about state of economy

In a recent interview the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling was completely frank about the state of the economy in the UK, stating that the nation was facing its worst economic downturn in sixty years. Darling said that the downturn was likely to be more ‘profound and long lasting’ than most people had anticipated.

Darling was asked why he had decided to be so frank about the situation, and he said: “I think it is important that government ministers and particularly me as Chancellor level with people. I explained that what is happening to every country in the world, ours included, is that we have a credit crunch the like of which we have not seen for generations.”

Darling also went on to state: “We have that at the same time as oil and food prices going up. But I also am clear that the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” He said that the government was prepared to “take action to help the economy and to help people get through this difficult time”.

However, the Shadow Chancellor said: “Who is telling the truth at the top of government? The prime minister says the economic situation isn’t as bad people think and that Britain is well placed to weather the economic storm but the chancellor says we are at a 60-year low.”