§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures introduced since 1997 have enabled the United Kingdom to become better placed to withstand a global downturn; and if he will make a statement. [16976]
§ Ruth KellyWhile no country can fully insulate itself from global conditions, the Government's reforms to the macroeconomic framework and their tough decisions on tax and spending are helping to ensure the UK is better placed to respond than on previous occasions to developments in the world economy. The Government's latest views on economic and policy developments will be set out in the Chancellor's pre-Budget statement to the House on 27 November.