We are entering an era in which national government, instead of directing, enables powerful regional and local initiatives to work, where Britain becomes as it should be - a Britain of nations and regions.

Britain was set to repeat the boom-bust cycle that led to 15 per cent. interest rates for one whole year in the early 1990s.

Our mission is, in truth, historic and world changing - to build, over the next fifty years and beyond, a global low carbon economy. And it is not overdramatic to say that the character and course of the coming century will be set by how we measure up to this challenge

I think that's a bit unfair. I'm a father with a 2-year-old child and I feel pretty young, actually.

The doubling of oil prices ... is creating a more difficult environment in which to act.

The vision of personalised public services - meeting the individual needs of all our citizens - requires continuing reform in the way services are delivered

Each year India and China produce four million graduates compared with just over 250,000 in Britain.