By now most people realise that our Prime Minister is not work-shy. If I needed any proof, my first letter of 2009 was from the boss ! He's already busy dealing with the biggest out-tray in Britain. The economy, climate change, and security are matters that mean everything to everybody, here and around the world.

Gordon's New Year message, and his letter, strike an optimistic tone. We have the capacity, he believes, the leadership for such a time as this, the character, the experience, and the courage for this tough year.

Yes We Can and must rise to the challenge.

Hello Graham,
 
I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a happy new year and to set out our plans for 2009. The coming year won't be easy, but I am determined that this Labour government will be the rock of stability and fairness on which you can depend.
 
In 2008, the scale and speed of the global financial crisis was at times, almost overwhelming. I know that people felt bewildered and sometimes frightened. That is why the response had to be swift and decisive and why we acted so quickly to get money, into the banks. Not from any desire to finance bankers, but because if we didn't it would have put at risk that which is most important to you and me - jobs, homes, savings, our standard of living.
 
I understand that families need real help now. Doing nothing is not an alternative. So we're increasing child benefit from January 1st to £20 per week and helping 22 million basic rate taxpayers with a £145 tax cut. Added to that, the cut in VAT this year will knock around £275 off the average family household bill.
 
To those worried about jobs, we will take every action we can . For those worried about their homes, let me tell you that ordinary homeowners should not be the first to pay the price of financial failures - I am determined to help people trying their best to pay their mortgages to stay in their own homes.
 
And in 2009 - 100 years since the first Old Age Pensioners Act was introduced - we will ensure that pensioners are not left behind as they were in previous recessions:
 
- 12.5 million pensioners will benefit from a £60 rise, on top of the £10 Christmas bonus;
- the basic state pension will also rise by £4.55 per week;
- the Pension Credit will rise to £130 a week.
 
All of this follows the one-off increase in the Winter Fuel Allowance this winter of up to £400 for the over 80s.
 
Graham, that's what we mean by real help now, when you need it.
 
It is also important that we understand that amid the threats and the global risks there are also great opportunities for Britain. We must not just plan for tomorrow. Our task over the next twelve months is to build tomorrow today.
 
Alongside the economic challenge, in 2009 our tasks will be to meet the challenges of security and the environment. I believe we can do it if we act in partnership but not if we retreat into isolation. That's why I'm looking forward to working with President Elect Obama to tackle climate change at the Copenhagen summit and, in April, when the leaders of the world's largest economies will come to London as part of the G20 meeting, I am determined that we work together to meet the challenges that face us all.
 
I'm confident that we can steer Britain safely into the future. First, because I am confident in the innate strength, and decency of the British people. Second, because Britain as a country has faced down many even greater challenges than those before us today. And third, because this government has set challenges before and met them. I believe that we will eventually look back on the winter of 2008 and 2009 as another great global challenge that was thrown our way, and that Britain met because we had the right values, the right policies, the right character to meet them.
 
Graham, I believe this is the best country in the world. And I believe the British people will show exactly what they are made of in 2009 - as we build tomorrow today.
 
Best wishes for 2009,
 
Gordon Brown