Guest post from Nick Clegg: 'The economic rescue is working - but we know families are still feeling the squeeze'

[MumsnetGuestPosts]

The official figures are in: Britain’s economy is now larger than it was before the financial crash hit in 2008. There is still a way to go to get us where we need to be, with many British families still feeling the squeeze – but this is good news. It shows the rescue is working.

This is why the Liberal Democrats came into coalition in the first place, to provide the strong and stable government Britain needed to get back on its feet again. Four years on and Britain is going from strength to strength.

According to the latest IMF estimates, the UK will be the fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2014. We have more people in work than ever before, with 2 million more people working in the private sector than in 2010. The deficit is also down by a third: we’re borrowing around £3,000 less per family.

None of this would have been possible without the hard work and sacrifices of millions of families. Across the country, there are countless stories of workers in the private and public sector accepting pay cuts or pay freezes to prevent redundancies, keep businesses afloat and maintain essential public services.

In government, the Liberal Democrats have focused on doing everything we can to help Britain’s families weather this storm. The crucial question that every parent asks when weighing up whether to work or take on extra hours is: how much of my wages will I keep after I've paid for costs like tax, childcare, travel and so on?

To make that decision easier, we've secured a £800 tax cut for millions of ordinary people by raising the point at which you pay income tax to £10,000 - with a further increase to £10,500 next April.

The credibility we've gained by sticking to Britain’s economic plan has helped keep interest rates historically low, saving families money on their mortgage bills.

From this September, every family with young children will benefit from our plan to provide free school meals to pupils in reception classes, year one and year two – ensuring they get a healthy lunch and saving you around £400 for your household budget every year.

Also, if you’re a working parent with children under 12, we’re helping with childcare – from autumn next year, Government will contribute 20% of your childcare costs up to £10,000 a year. This covers parents working full-time and part-time and, for the first time ever, those mums and dads who run their own businesses. This will provide the equivalent of £2,000 per child, per year for every working family, except those on extremely high wages.

We've increased the hours of funded early-education available to every family with a 3 and 4-year-old to 15 hours a week, as well as 2-year-olds from poorer families.

We’re also making it easier for you to organise your childcare support in a way that works best for your family. From April next year, we’re introducing our new shared parental leave arrangements, enabling new parents to carve up the leave they’re entitled to with greater freedom and flexibility. We've already extended the right to request flexible working to everyone, to help boost that army of family members and friends you call on to help with childcare.

I want to help ensure that Britain’s children, whatever their family circumstances or background, get the best possible start in life. So, building on the success of our £2.5 billion Pupil Premium, next year, we’re giving state-funded early years providers an additional £300 to spend on every 3 and 4 year-old from poorer families to support their development further. This is one of the best possible investments we can make in our country’s future.

Together, we’re getting our economy back on track. There’s still a lot to do. But, as Britain moves from rescue to renewal, I'm determined to ensure that every single person has the opportunities and support they need to get on and build the life they want.

[Viviennemary]

I read that if Labour get the majority of seats the LDs will make a coalition with them. What on earth is the point in voting LD you might as well vote Labour or Conservative if you don't know which way the party will go. Talk about hedging your bets!

[HeyBabyBaby71]

Thanks for the free school meals, Nick. I paid for hot meals for my two anyhow so the savings are going on country dancing lessons... Cheers!

[HeyBabyBaby71]

Btw, I loved the lib dem advice on how to ask for a pay rise at work for women. Unfortunately, like one in twelve women in this country, I work in a school. Our oensions, which have been self sustaining, have been stolen away from us, the media has been turned against us and so we resorted to strike action. Our then Education Minister wouldn't even come to the table to talk with us. (Apparently he's gone now after claims he was a little, er, toxic). So, we tried to take your advice about negotiating a pay rise but the government doesn't seem to be listening.
Maybe that nice new lady will listen. Do hope so! "We're all in this together, apart from women public sector workers."

[WhistlingPot]

I don't mind at all Meglet, and thank you!

[WhistlingPot]

And I voted for the fecker!

[grrr]

[MorphineDreams]

It's all well and good saying BRITAIN is better economically, but the vast majority of it's PEOPLE aren't and are suffering.

[Timeforabiscuit]

When I was at school I was intrigued by something called a sacrificial anodes.

This was a lump of metal attached to an enormous costly ship, which would then get rusted and replaced relatively cheaply compared to repairing an entire ships hull.

Why oh why would you do a guest post on mumsnet of all places - unless your the Tories sacrificial anode, without a meaningful lib dem vote and no Scotland, Tories will get waved through come election time.

But on the other hand, you've gone back on promises, core principles and implemented terrible policies for school meals.

[Viviennemary]

How about the economic squeeze is working because even the RBS who we propped up with zillions of pounds of taxpayers money is making a profit.

[gamerchick]

What's the point of posting on here.. He isn't going to read the replies.

I find it right sickening that the average Joe gets a bloody good hiding by the government and left in the gutter but when there's a run up to an election they suddenly remember they're there and they are needed.

Nobody believes in any of this lot anymore.

[FrontForward]

many British families still feeling the squeeze – but this is good news. It shows the rescue is working

So who have you rescued? Not families, not working class, not public sector workers, not low paid, not vulnerable people.

[BitOutOfPractice]

While the economy overall is bigger, this figure masks some rather worrying statistics. Manufacturing and construction (you know, those parts of the economy that actually make and build things) are both still down. In the case of construction, the industry I work in, by a massive 10.7%.

What does the government plan to do to help these parts of the economy? Acyally, scrap that question because I know the answer...nothing

The "recovery" is nothing to do with you and Cameron. You tryng to take credit for it makes me feel sick.

As does you patronising pat on the head for "hardworking families" who have taken the brunt of the pain for the mistakes and greed of your fat cat banking cronies

[FrontForward]

So glad that British families have rescued you and your cronies...

[MorphineDreams]

Wow I missed that. It's good news that British families are feeling the squeeze?! Are YOU feeling the squeeze? Of course not. You don't have to chose between feeding yourself or your children. You don't have to sell your car that you need to take your children to school and yourself to work because the washing machine broke down. You don't have to give up a beloved pet because you no longer can afford it. You don't have to go without vital medication because you can't afford the script costs. Or having to use a hoisting sling that is no longer safe because the local authority can't provide a new one.

So please don't tell me feeling the squeeze is good.

[sanfairyanne]

what is the point of an economic recovery that only benefits the super rich?

[WhistlingPot]

many British families still feeling the squeeze – but this is good news. It shows the rescue is working

YYY to at this.

Working for who exactly?

[ravenAK]

You owe me a dog kennel.

I had to build one for dh after the idiot voted for you.

[WhistlingPot]

The credibility we've gained by sticking to Britain’s economic plan

What credibility? That of financial institutions who were happy to sit back and watch while our bankers gambled away our security? Leaving thousands upon thousands facing negative equity, propelling the housing bubble we're in and leaving those at the bottom to bear the brunt of it?

Nothing to be proud of there.

[Meglet]

I've seen questions from Daily Mail hacks that have been less of a car crash.

The more I think about this the angrier I get. They really don't have a clue do they .

[ParsingFlatly]

But they've had hardships in the Westminster Bubble, too, Meglet. They have to produce receipts for their expenses now.

[MorphineDreams]

Oh you're so right. They've had to pay for their own staples

[LegoCaltrops]

None of this would have been possible without the hard work and sacrifices of millions of families. Interesting turn of phrase, considering that that's exactly how some families do feel - as if they have been sacrificed.

Perhaps if the government concentrated less on things like Trident and lining up jobs for their friends, we might have a functioning NHS? Vaguely adequate MH services, enough teachers and school buildings in good condition?

Don't presume to tell people that the squeeze is good. I wonder how many days you (or anyone in government, for that matter) had to go without food so they could afford to buy food and nappies for a baby.

[BitOutOfPractice]

whistlingpot just to take issue with one thing. The people of Iceland are on their way to recovery because they voted not to repay people (many of them ordinary people and many local authorities) who invested in their vastly overextended banks. At one point, Icelandic banks had debts many many times the Icelandic GDP. IMO Iceland has walked away from it's responsibilities and stuck 2 fingers up at people who lost money. (Mainly the island Netherlands)

So I take issue with "honourable" to be honest. And I say this as someone who loves the country and visited it more than once.

[BitOutOfPractice]

The island = the UK