The First Minister said that it is easy to confuse the commitment to spend with the expenditure itself.

BBC: Rhodri Morgan at First Minister's Questions this week

So the test of the government's commitment to medium-term planning of public expenditure will come in the budget in March.

ECONOMIST: Can Tony Blair spend his way out of trouble on health?

If you doubt Lai's commitment to cracking the market, consider his expenditure.

CNN: Groceries to go

"The club has demonstrated its commitment to first-team success with increased expenditure on player wages, " said the club's chief executive Robert Elstone.

BBC: Everton Football Club losses widen as wages rise