Darling says recession over by Xmas - papers

In an interview with The Times, the Chancellor defied a gloomy assessment of Britain's recovery prospects set to emerge today in an annual economic health check from the International Monetary Fund. "I am not going to change my forecasts," he said. "I remain confident that we will see a return to growth at the turn of the year." The Chancellor also indicated that he wants to stay at the Treasury despite suggestions that he could be moved to the Home or Foreign Office. Although he refused to speculate, he said: "The job is not done." In the Budget Mr Darling pinned the Government's hop...