Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday the British economy was in the same state as England footballer Wayne Rooney's ankle -- recovering and in need of support.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday the British economy was in the same state as England footballer Wayne Rooney's ankle -- recovering and in need of support.
The economy is in better health than had been previously thought -- as is Manchester United striker Rooney following some ankle ligament damage.
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But Brown said trying to "jump off the treatment table as if nothing had happened" would "do more damage".
"I believe that securing the recovery is the biggest issue facing our country. That means we shouldn't take money out of the economy this year," Brown said in his weekly podcast.
"Let me explain it a bit like this: I know Wayne Rooney's just had an injury to his foot and I know everyone will be hoping he's fit for the World Cup.
"But after an injury you need support to recover, you need support to get back to match fitness, you need support to get back your full strength and then go on to lift the World Cup.
"So with the economy -- we're not back to full fitness, we need to maintain support. If you withdraw support too early, we'll risk doing more damage."
Britain has emerged from a record recession, though analysts believe the outlook remains weak.
Gross domestic product -- the value of all the goods and services produced in the economy -- grew by 0.4 percent in the three months to the end of December, the Office for National Statistics said last week.
Rooney suffered ankle ligament damage in Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat at Bayern Munich on Tuesday, sparking fears he could miss the rest of the season and the World Cup.
But he is expected to be back in action within two to three weeks.
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