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Brown says economy is sole focus Brown says economy is sole focus
(about 1 hour later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he understands people's worries about the economy but has insisted that keeping it on track is his "sole focus". Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he understands people's fears over the economy and insisted that keeping it on track was his "sole focus".
"We are on the side of home owners, business and individuals," he said."We are on the side of home owners, business and individuals," he said.
People's concerns were "understandable" on the economy but Mr Brown insisted he had set the right "long term course". As in past crises, ministers would do "everything in our power to keep the economy moving forward", he said.
A poll suggests 68% lack confidence in him handling the economic crisis, while Tories claim his reputation for economic prudence is "in tatters". He spoke as a poll suggested 68% lack confidence in him handling the economic crisis - and the Tories said his economic reputation was "in tatters".
Mr Brown's decision to axe the 10p starting tax rate has been criticised by many Labour MPs, his opinion poll ratings have been poor recently and he faces a struggle to get an extension of terror detention through Parliament.
I think with Gordon Brown, what you've got is a pretty serious person who thinks very deeply about decisions and is also a man of conviction Hazel BlearsCommunities Secretary Tories pin economic woes on PMI think with Gordon Brown, what you've got is a pretty serious person who thinks very deeply about decisions and is also a man of conviction Hazel BlearsCommunities Secretary Tories pin economic woes on PM
At the same time there has been growing economic gloom as the fall-out from the credit crunch grows. Mr Brown is preparing to travel to the US this week to meet finance chiefs and discuss the global crisis.
Mr Brown is preparing to travel to the US to meet finance chiefs and discuss the global crisis. In a visit to east London, alongside Labour's London mayor candidate Ken Livingstone, he said: "This government is aware of the insecurities people feel...
Earlier Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said the government and the people of Britain faced "difficult times". "We are going to continue, as we did when faced with difficult decisions in 1998 and 2004, to do everything in our power to keep the economy moving forward."
She played down suggestions the cabinet was split, saying it was more "cooperative" than under Tony Blair. He said the UK had been through difficult times in the past and he was "utterly satisfied" that he was taking the right steps.
He continued: "We are the only economy of the major economies that has continued to grow without a major recession in the last 10 years."
The prime minister has faced difficulties on a number of fronts over recent days, with the decision to axe the 10p starting tax rate criticised by many Labour MPs and a rebellion expected over plans to extend the limit for detaining terror suspects without charge.
Conviction
There have also been reports of splits within the cabinet.
But Communities Secretary Hazel Blears rejected the suggestion the cabinet was divided, saying it was more "cooperative" than under Tony Blair.
"I've heard all these stories about people in the cabinet disagreeing... I've seen more joined-up working. There's much more integrated policy making now than I have seen before."
At the root of the problem is the failure of the government's economic policy George OsborneShadow chancellor
She defended Mr Brown's performance, saying he was "a pretty serious person who thinks very deeply about decisions and is also a man of conviction".She defended Mr Brown's performance, saying he was "a pretty serious person who thinks very deeply about decisions and is also a man of conviction".
"It's difficult times for government. It's difficult times in the country," Ms Blears told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."It's difficult times for government. It's difficult times in the country," Ms Blears told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"And I entirely understand that people are concerned about their own finances, they're concerned about homes, utility bills, cost of living."And I entirely understand that people are concerned about their own finances, they're concerned about homes, utility bills, cost of living.
"That's the reality of it, but actually, the test of any government is when you're in difficult times, how do you perform? Do you stand firm?""That's the reality of it, but actually, the test of any government is when you're in difficult times, how do you perform? Do you stand firm?"
Trust
Ms Blears also dismissed suggestions of cabinet splits: "I've heard all these stories about people in the cabinet disagreeing... I've seen more joined-up working. There's much more integrated policy making now than I have seen before."
Her comments come as shadow chancellor George Osborne pinned the blame for the present economic crisis on Mr Brown, in a speech to the Policy Exchange think tank.Her comments come as shadow chancellor George Osborne pinned the blame for the present economic crisis on Mr Brown, in a speech to the Policy Exchange think tank.
"At the root of the problem is the failure of the government's economic policy," he said."At the root of the problem is the failure of the government's economic policy," he said.
Meanwhile a Financial Times/Harris opinion poll suggests 68% of voters are "not confident at all" in Labour's ability to handle the crisis.Meanwhile a Financial Times/Harris opinion poll suggests 68% of voters are "not confident at all" in Labour's ability to handle the crisis.
The survey of 1,122 people in the UK was conducted online between 27 March and 8 April.The survey of 1,122 people in the UK was conducted online between 27 March and 8 April.