Britain is “heading in the right direction”, Prime Minister David Cameron said in a New Year’s message released on Sunday.
Cameron admitted that 2012 had been a “tough” year as Britain struggles to climb out of recession, but he insisted that his coalition government would not give in to pressure to slow the pace of spending cuts to reduce the deficit.
“You can’t cure problems that were decades in the making overnight. There are no quick fixes and I wouldn’t claim otherwise,” the Conservative leader said in the video message.
“But we can be optimistic too because we are making tangible progress. We are doing what’s right for our country and what’s best for our children’s future.”
Cameron said his party’s coalition with the Liberal Democrats had made “real progress” on cutting the state deficit, reforming the welfare system and boosting school standards.
In a blow to the coalition’s deficit-slashing policy, figures released last week showed that Britain’s deficit grew to £17.5 billion in November.
But Cameron insisted on Sunday that the deficit was forecast to be a quarter smaller at the New Year than it was when the coalition came to power in May 2010.
“We can’t win in this world with a great millstone of debt round our necks,” he said.
The premier said there were almost half a million more people in work than there were when Labour left office and that more than 1,000 new academy schools have opened.
And he hailed moves to freeze council tax, increase the state pension and relieve income tax for millions of low-paid workers.
The message avoided the debates over gay marriage and Britain’s future in the European Union — two issues that have driven deep divisions through the Conservatives this year.
He instead looked back on 2012 as “an extraordinary year” for Britain as it hosted the London Olympics and held massive celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee.
Labour said Cameron had promised change but that “nothing is changing for the better”.
“Cameron talks of people who work hard in this country but he’s the one hitting hard-working families on lower and middle incomes whilst cutting taxes for millionaires,” said Labour vice-chair Michael Dugher.
“This Prime Minister is out of touch, he stands up for the wrong people and he’s failing to deliver for working people.”
UK is on the right track, says Cameron
