HL Deb 09 February 2004 vol 656 c137WA
Lord Taylor of Warwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the United Kingdom has breached the European Commission's strict 3 per cent public deficit ceiling. [HL1083]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

In light of the Pre-Budget Report projections, the UK continues to meet a prudent interpretation of the stability and growth pact that reflects low debt and long-term sustainability more generally, the need for public investment in the UK, and which takes into account the economic cycle.