December 20, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 21, 1429

LONDON, Dec 19: With both the economy and the Bush shoe incident seemingly heavy on his mind, Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday finished his opening remarks at his last monthly press conference of the year, loaded with what he plans to do to kickstart British economy, with an invitation to the waiting media to throw questions at him but no shoes.

He made it clear that he planned to spend his way out of the deepening recession.

He said that Britain could be an international “beacon of hope” as he promised to unveil a wide-ranging series of economic measures early next year to prepare the country for the future.

The prime minister appeared optimistic as he said that falling prices and extra government support meant that many people would enjoy more spending power in 2009.

He pledged more government support for nuclear power, carbon capture technology, the digital economy, transport — including a decision on a third runway at Heathrow — and further measures on the banking system to ensure it kept lending to businesses.

“We must invest to create products and services we can sell to the world,” said Mr Brown.

Promising “real help now and real hope for the future”, he said the government would be bringing forward measures for ‘smart investment’ in ‘green’ jobs and the digital economy.

There would be measures too on retraining, social mobility and reform of the banking system, the prime minister said.

He said an economic slowdown must not be used as an excuse to slow the pace of investment and reform to strengthen the country.

Mr Brown dismissed speculation of an early general election, saying he had given the subject ‘no thought’.

He conceded that it was proving “a challenge” to get the banks lending to businesses. But he stressed that the steps taken by the government to get the economy moving, including the controversial cut in VAT, were already ‘making a difference’.

Mr Brown played down fears over sterling’s plunge in value, which has seen it approach parity with the euro.

He insisted low inflation was the key economic concern, and he would not be drawn into giving a ‘running commentary’ on the pound.