PRIME minister Gordon Brown has today taken the lessons he learned about Suffolk's Fightback against the recession back to Downing Street.During his visit to Ipswich yesterday, he said campaigns like Fightback were vital to emphasise the positive news that is still coming out despite the problems with the economy.

PRIME minister Gordon Brown has today taken the lessons he learned about Suffolk's Fightback against the recession back to Downing Street.

During his visit to Ipswich yesterday, he said campaigns like Fightback were vital to emphasise the positive news that is still coming out despite the problems with the economy.

Mr Brown said that although unemployment was increasing and many more people were becoming fearful about their jobs, there were still new opportunities for work.

“This is a worrying time for very many people and I am well aware of that, but there are 200,000 people starting new jobs every month.

“That's 200,000 people who found new jobs last month, this month, and will find them next month.

“What is needed, and what the government is doing is trying to equip the workforce to fit those jobs,” he said.

The prime minister said the Fightback campaign was good because it emphasised the good news that continued to emerge throughout the region despite the tough economic times.

“No one can or should ignore the very serious problems that affect the world economy and which are having an impact here and across the country.

“But we must not ignore the good news that is emerging - and that is where the Fightback campaign is so welcome,” he added.

During his visit to Ipswich, Mr Brown was very impressed by the continuing development of the Waterfront area and the first phase of UCS which hosted his visit.

“Ipswich is a very dynamic town and while it is going to be affected by the recession, there are some really positive signs here - and your campaign is certainly proving very good at emphasising them.”