Spending Review with Liberal Democrat Values

Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has written to party members ahead of today's Comprehensive Spending Review. In his message he says

"We have had to make some very difficult choices. But the review is one that promotes fairness, underpins growth, reduces carbon emissions and localises power.

"The Coalition Government is investing £7 bn in a 'fairness premium' to help disadvantaged children; putting more than £1 billion into a regional growth fund; launching a Green Investment Bank with at least £2 billion for low-carbon technology and new jobs; and giving local government real financial freedoms. This Government will be spending more than £700bn on public services - the same as in 2006.

"We are not taking the decisions today because they are easy or because we want to see a smaller state, we are taking them because they are right. We have a hard road to recovery ahead, but we are determined to ensure it is a road that leads to fairness too."