So in last week's Budget, Brown used his experiences of China as the backdrop for the Government's plans to reform financial support for 16- to 19-year-olds.
"With China and India producing four million graduates a year, I am convinced that the UK cannot afford to waste the ability of any young person," he told Parliament during his Budget speech.
Like her boss, paymaster general Dawn Primarolo also believes the answer lies in removing the financial barriers preventing many 16- to 19-year-olds from reaching their potential.
"Because of the way financial support has developed, young people are often being driven into employment by financial pressures," says Primarolo.
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