Prime Minister's Questions

Brooks Newmark asks the PM whether he agrees with the Chancellor's recent self-assessment of his abilities at maths in school.

Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): The Chancellor recently told a group of schoolchildren:

"I did maths at school...but I don't think I was ever very good at it-and some people would say it shows."

Does the Prime Minister agree with that self-assessment?

The Prime Minister: He obviously does not do irony in a good way, but let me tell the hon. Gentleman that what is more important than whether the Chancellor passed his school maths exams with flying colours is the fact that he has passed with flying colours his time as Chancellor for 10 years. I should thank the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to point out once again that, thanks to the Chancellor, we have 2.5 million more jobs, unemployment at its lowest level for more than 30 years, interest rates half what they were in the Tory years, and the strongest ever period of economic growth. I thank the hon. Gentleman again for giving me the opportunity to remind the House of that.

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