The year 2009 has been a tough one for everyone. The recession has been global – and yet Britain went into it earlier and is coming out of it later than our international partners. Businesses have gone to the wall, people have lost their livelihoods and shockingly one million younger people under 24 (20% of the total) are out of work. Unfortunately, it is possible that things could yet take a dip for the worse. My message for the New Year is that people should remain cautious despite, in many ways, our region being less hard hit than other parts of the country. As difficult as circumstances are, we can turn things around and I do believe that a bright future is achievable. This is what I shall be dedicating myself towards in 2010. I wish everyone a Happy Christmas. Jonathan Djanogly MP