Liberal Democrats have plans for North East economic growth

10.52.02pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 25th Apr 2010

While David Cameron admitted on the Paxman interview that Tory public spending cut backs will hurt many voters in the North East region, Liberal Democrat plans will improve the economic prospects and protect the low paid.

Speaking today, Philip Latham Liberal Democrat candidate for Stockton North rejected the Tory cuts.

'This is just the continuation of the old Tory approach of the past 50 years. Under Thatcher industry on Teesside was decimated. Labour have failed to drive growth and Gordon Brown's financial crisis has seriously damaged recovery.

Liberal Democrats plan to invest in green technology and create new jobs on Teesside. To make sure this works for the long term we will set up an infrastructure Bank and Regional Stock Exchanges to direct private finance to these projects. And at the same time many on low pay in the public sector will benefit from raising the tax threshold to £10,000 and allowing a maximum of £400 pay rise, for all public sector workers, initially for the next two years.

Liberal Democrats want to create long term jobs and protect the low paid.'