IN QUOTES

Mark Serwotka, the general secretary of PCS:
"I can assure you that the extra money my low-paid members need will not be spent being invested offshore in hedge funds, but will go to paying food and fuel bills..."

Chancellor Alistair Darling, speaking on Sky television :
"I've lived through the recessions this country saw in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The difference is this time we are determined to do everything we can and as soon as we can to help people so that if they lose their jobs they can get back into work, that if businesses get into difficulty we do our level best to help them..."