Poor Figures Underline Need for Government Spending Transparency - Cable

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Jul 2005

Commenting on the May 2005 index of production figures released today by the ONS showing that in the three months to May the output of production industries was down 1.3%, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable said: "The underlying position of the UK now appears to be much weaker than the rosy picture painted by the Chancellor in the run up to the General Election.

"These figures combined with the recent slow down in domestic consumption reinforce the picture outlined by the ONS with their recent revision to 2005 Q1 growth falling to 0.4%.

"In this context, the Government needs to be more transparent about its plans, particularly about the timing of the next public spending review due in 2006 to 2007."