What does 2011 hold for Britain?

Leading political figures have delivered their new year's messages to the country.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has claimed that decisions made this year in the spending review will start to make significant impacts on jobs and families in 2011, saying that his party offered "a more optimistic future".

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg meanwhile chose to focus his message on wavering Liberal Democrat supporters, attempting to highlight Lib Dem influence on government policy and promising radical political reform in 2011.

Union leader Brendan Barber delivered a starker message, stating Britain is in for a "horrible year", but insisting the government cuts would inexorably lead to a concerted grass-roots campaign for an alternative economic strategy.