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PM 'right man' to steer economy | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Gordon Brown has said he is the right person to take the British economy through "difficult times" - and that it is "more resilient than most". | |
The prime minister, who is at the G8 summit, said his experience on economic matters and negotiating deals with world leaders was very important. | |
A survey of businesses suggests the UK is facing a serious risk of recession. | |
But Mr Brown said the economy was still growing, with "very high" employment and comparatively low interest rates. | |
Earlier a British Chambers of Commerce survey of almost 5,000 businesses suggested that the UK was facing a serious risk of recession . | |
The warning came as falling shares in banks, house builders and retailers dragged the FTSE 100 index towards a bear market. | |
'Test of leadership' | |
Speaking to the BBC in Japan, Mr Brown said high fuel and food prices and the credit crunch were to blame for economic problems faced by countries across the world. | |
But he said: "The issue is, can we deal with these three fundamental problems? | |
"I believe that you do need the global action that we are talking about and I believe that the British economy, under the leadership, taking these difficult decisions about how we can get through it, is in better position than most economies." | |
The prime minister is being credited behind the scenes with ensuring that the G8 did not backslide on its commitments to African development Nick RobinsonBBC political editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/">Read Nick's blog in full | |
He said it was essential that summits, like the G8, helped create global solutions to the world's dependence on oil and increase food production. | He said it was essential that summits, like the G8, helped create global solutions to the world's dependence on oil and increase food production. |
Asked whether he would step down as Labour leader, if he became a liability to the party, Mr Brown said: "If I thought I wasn't the right person I wouldn't have stood for leader - the test of leadership is taking people through difficult times." | |
He added: "I think I'm the right person to take people through these difficult times." | |
Mr Brown's leadership could be put under pressure if Labour is defeated in the previously safe Glasgow East seat in the upcoming by-election. | |
The party is still reeling from its losses by-election loss of Crewe and Nantwich, coming fifth in the Henley by-election, and disappointing poll ratings. | |
At the summit, world leaders also agreed to stick to a 2005 pledge to double aid by 2010, despite fears over the credit crunch. | |
The G8 announced a multi-billion pound investment in malaria nets, fighting infectious diseases and education in developing countries. | |
"We are delivering everything we promised; other countries will do the same," said Mr Brown. | |
"Ten million children will go to school. Malaria nets will save thousands and more healthcare. These are big concrete changes." |