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EU consensus claim 'ridiculous' EU consensus claim 'ridiculous'
(21 minutes later)
Gordon Brown's claims to be reaching a consensus in Europe on dealing with the recession are "completely ridiculous", Tory leader David Cameron has said.Gordon Brown's claims to be reaching a consensus in Europe on dealing with the recession are "completely ridiculous", Tory leader David Cameron has said.
As Mr Brown gave a Commons statement on last week's EU summit, Mr Cameron said no-one was copying his VAT cut.As Mr Brown gave a Commons statement on last week's EU summit, Mr Cameron said no-one was copying his VAT cut.
The PM hit back, saying the Tories were the only party in Europe to advocate cutting public spending.The PM hit back, saying the Tories were the only party in Europe to advocate cutting public spending.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the £12.5bn VAT cut should be dropped and the money spent on green measures.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the £12.5bn VAT cut should be dropped and the money spent on green measures.
In his statement Mr Brown said, by working together, the EU could "put its financial sector on a sound footing, get credit flowing into the real economy" and protect its citizens from the impact of the economic crisis.In his statement Mr Brown said, by working together, the EU could "put its financial sector on a sound footing, get credit flowing into the real economy" and protect its citizens from the impact of the economic crisis.
Risk takingRisk taking
He said there was a "determination to do what's necessary to restore jobs and growth" in Europe and said proposals had been made, ahead of next month's G20 summit, to "reshape the global financial and trading system".He said there was a "determination to do what's necessary to restore jobs and growth" in Europe and said proposals had been made, ahead of next month's G20 summit, to "reshape the global financial and trading system".
He also mentioned commitments to reduce carbon emissions, reject protectionism and adopt principles on incentives in the financial sector to reward "long term success" rather than "excessive risk taking".He also mentioned commitments to reduce carbon emissions, reject protectionism and adopt principles on incentives in the financial sector to reward "long term success" rather than "excessive risk taking".
When his various schemes only exist in a press release, they don't help build up confidence David CameronTory leader CBI eyes Budget confidence boostWhen his various schemes only exist in a press release, they don't help build up confidence David CameronTory leader CBI eyes Budget confidence boost
But Mr Cameron said the PM liked to lecture "everyone in this House and beyond that he is uniquely forging a consensus in Europe on how to deal with the recession".But Mr Cameron said the PM liked to lecture "everyone in this House and beyond that he is uniquely forging a consensus in Europe on how to deal with the recession".
"Doesn't that claim now look completely ridiculous?""Doesn't that claim now look completely ridiculous?"
He pointed to comments from the CBI business group that the "alarming" state of public finances should rule out any major fiscal stimulus in April's Budget.He pointed to comments from the CBI business group that the "alarming" state of public finances should rule out any major fiscal stimulus in April's Budget.
And he said, in Europe, "no one else is copying his policy on cutting VAT - the consensus is it actually made things worse", he said - referring to quotes from French President Nicolas Sarkozy and a German finance minister.And he said, in Europe, "no one else is copying his policy on cutting VAT - the consensus is it actually made things worse", he said - referring to quotes from French President Nicolas Sarkozy and a German finance minister.
'Say sorry''Say sorry'
He said many schemes to help people through the recession had yet to materialise: "When his various schemes only exist in a press release, they don't help build up confidence," he said.
Mr Cameron accused Gordon Brown of delivering a "longer recession" than that facing the US or the euro-zone and the "worst public deficit" in British peacetime history.Mr Cameron accused Gordon Brown of delivering a "longer recession" than that facing the US or the euro-zone and the "worst public deficit" in British peacetime history.
"Isn't it time to start now with 'sorry'?" he asked."Isn't it time to start now with 'sorry'?" he asked.
The prime minister told MPs nobody was saying that Europe should do "everything in exactly the same way".
Isn't it time the Conservatives faced up to the fact that their policy is a six pence a week cut in the licence fee for the many and a £200,000 cut in inheritance tax for the few? Gordon BrownIsn't it time the Conservatives faced up to the fact that their policy is a six pence a week cut in the licence fee for the many and a £200,000 cut in inheritance tax for the few? Gordon Brown
The prime minister said it was the Conservatives who were out of touch and said their only answer to the recession was to cut public finances. "That is why it is important to get a fiscal stimulus but it is important that countries ... choose the way that they want to do it."
He contrasted that with the Conservatives' pledge to scrap inheritance tax on estates worth less than £1m, which he said would benefit just 3,000 people. He said it was the Conservatives who were out of touch and said their only answer to the recession was to cut public finances.
He contrasted that with the Tory pledge to scrap inheritance tax on estates worth less than £1m, which he said would benefit just 3,000 people.
"Isn't it time the Conservatives faced up to the fact that their policy is a six pence a week cut in the licence fee for the many and a £200,000 cut in inheritance tax for the few?," he said."Isn't it time the Conservatives faced up to the fact that their policy is a six pence a week cut in the licence fee for the many and a £200,000 cut in inheritance tax for the few?," he said.
Obama's 'agent'Obama's 'agent'
In a dig at shadow business secretary Ken Clarke, he said the "shadow shadow chancellor" was "out of synch" with the rest of his party - after suggesting on Sunday the inheritance tax cut would not be a high priority.
And he said it was "remarkable" to hear Mr Cameron quoting European leaders the week after the Conservatives announced they were to split from the centre right group in the European Parliament. He said the move left them "out of touch with the European mainstream".And he said it was "remarkable" to hear Mr Cameron quoting European leaders the week after the Conservatives announced they were to split from the centre right group in the European Parliament. He said the move left them "out of touch with the European mainstream".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also criticised the VAT cut and called on the PM to drop it now and use the money on job-creating initiatives like insulating homes and improving public transport.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also criticised the VAT cut and called on the PM to drop it now and use the money on job-creating initiatives like insulating homes and improving public transport.
"When he tries to act as President Obama's agent in Europe ... wouldn't those leaders listen to him more if he hadn't blown £12.5bn on his VAT cut?," he said. He said it was "hard" for Mr Brown to lead the EU on financial matters "because he doesn't practise at home what he preaches to them abroad".
Warnings on protectionism would have "packed more of a punch" without "populist rhetoric about British jobs for British workers", Mr Clegg said.
"When you try to act as President Obama's agent in Europe and persuade your European counterparts to issue another fiscal stimulus, wouldn't those leaders listen to you more if you hadn't blown £12.5bn on your wasteful VAT cut?" he said.
Mr Brown said he was spending money on insulating homes and accused Mr Clegg of wanting "£20bn of public spending cuts".Mr Brown said he was spending money on insulating homes and accused Mr Clegg of wanting "£20bn of public spending cuts".