Labour Ministers today wrote to Conservative Shadow Cabinet members, challenging them to reveal if they support David Cameron's cuts to key investment projects that Labour has brought forward to help Britain through the current economic downturn.

£800 million investment in schools and £100 million of improvements in GP surgeries are among the projects that will Labour is bringing forward to help stimulate the economy and improve services. David Cameron has made clear he opposes Labour's economic stimulus and the Conservatives have voted against the government's Pre-Budget Report that introduced the measures.
 
Liam Byrne, Labour's Cabinet Office Minister, said:

"The Tory opposition to the Pre-Budget Report has exposed two key strategic weaknesses in the Conservative position in 2009: not just that they would do nothing now to help families and business through the downturn, but that critically they oppose the action we need to take to get Britain ready for the upturn. Families and businesses want real help now and real hope for the future. The Tories are offering neither. The consequence of their inaction would be a repeat of the past: a longer, deeper recession, with homes and jobs needlessly lost.

"If shadow ministers don't want to see their party abandon Labour's plans to speed up investment in key areas like primary schools, GP surgeries, and affordable housing, they need to speak out now against their leader's opposition to the Government's plan to stimulate the economy to get us out of the downturn faster."