British PM says economy returning to health

LONDON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday spoke of the clear plan the British government has taken throughout the recession to secure recovery, growth and jobs and said he is confident that "the economy is returning to health. "

He said that it is business and private enterprise which are the engines of growth and they need a government confident to take bold decisions investing in national infrastructure.

Brown said: "We've reached a point in our economic recovery where we need decisions that will determine whether it takes root and we can go for growth- creating jobs and prosperity for all- or whether it withers and dies."

"And it needs a government taking the tough decisions and not being reckless and I want to be clear- we have a plan and we are sticking to it," he added.

Brown also said that recovery goes "hand-in-hand" with steps to rebuild the public finances and spoke of the ambitious deficit- reduction plan which will reduce borrowing by more than 80 billion pounds (128 billion U.S. dollars).

He said the government's plan is driven by fairness with fair tax rises, tough measures on efficiency and public sector pay ensuring funding is protected for front line services like schools, the National Health Service and the police.

Brown said the budget is one of the most important for Britain for many years and throughout the economic recession, both he and Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling have been focused on the "tough decisions" needed to support "you, your family, your job and your home."

The chancellor will deliver his Budget 2010 statement on Wednesday and said the budget would emphasize measures to encourage private sector investment and secure long-term economic growth and that a rise in VAT was "not on the table."