As official figures show that the UK economy is finally out of recession, is this time for Cornish businesses to celebrate?
In the last three months of 2009, the economy grew – albeit by a weaker than expected 0.1%. And there have been other encouraging signs recently, with unemployment falling for the first time in 18 months.
So should we be celebrating? Is this good news for Gordon Brown on the eve of the General Election? Or should we be asking why it has taken so long to emerge from recession – both France and Germany posted growth last summer, while Japan and the US also exited last year.
However, in Cornwall the announcement has been tempered by the news that the Council is to cut spending by £100 million over the next four years. What effect is this likely to have on the local economy, given that the public sector in Cornwall has a particularly central role to play and is the Duchy’s largest employer?
Send us your thoughts.
