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| Brown is questioned by senior MPs | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown is expected to face questions about the economy and the rising price of food, oil and energy as he appears before senior MPs. | |
| It is the second time he has faced the Commons Liaison Committee, made up of the chairs of 30 select committees. | |
| "Managing the economic slowdown" is one topic he is due to be grilled on, a day after predictions of lower standards of living in the UK for at least a year. | "Managing the economic slowdown" is one topic he is due to be grilled on, a day after predictions of lower standards of living in the UK for at least a year. |
| These sessions with the prime minister usually last for two and a half hours. | These sessions with the prime minister usually last for two and a half hours. |
| His appearance began at 1000 BST. | |
| The committee has also indicated it wishes to ask Mr Brown about "international flashpoints", which are likely to include the ongoing British military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the political situation in Zimbabwe. | The committee has also indicated it wishes to ask Mr Brown about "international flashpoints", which are likely to include the ongoing British military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the political situation in Zimbabwe. |
| Proposed constitutional reforms - such as the need to seek Parliament's approval before forces are sent into armed conflict abroad, and lifting of restrictions on protests outside Parliament - are also on the agenda. | Proposed constitutional reforms - such as the need to seek Parliament's approval before forces are sent into armed conflict abroad, and lifting of restrictions on protests outside Parliament - are also on the agenda. |
| Fuel protests | Fuel protests |
| The prime minister has faced growing pressure in recent weeks over the state of the economy. | The prime minister has faced growing pressure in recent weeks over the state of the economy. |
| On Wednesday the Bank of England's new deputy governor, Charlie Bean, told MPs there was "not very much that we can do about that as a nation" to help the British economy without increasing productivity. | On Wednesday the Bank of England's new deputy governor, Charlie Bean, told MPs there was "not very much that we can do about that as a nation" to help the British economy without increasing productivity. |
| There was also an unexpected profit warning from Sir Stuart Rose, Marks and Spencer's chief executive, who predicted "stormy times ahead" for the UK economy. | There was also an unexpected profit warning from Sir Stuart Rose, Marks and Spencer's chief executive, who predicted "stormy times ahead" for the UK economy. |
| The same day also brought figures from the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors, showing the building of new homes had fallen at the fastest pace since 1995. | The same day also brought figures from the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors, showing the building of new homes had fallen at the fastest pace since 1995. |
| And more than 200 hauliers parked their lorries on one of the main roads into London to demonstrate against rising fuel prices. | And more than 200 hauliers parked their lorries on one of the main roads into London to demonstrate against rising fuel prices. |
| The price of oil has continued to climb as well, with Brent crude rising above $145 (£73) a barrel for the first time. | The price of oil has continued to climb as well, with Brent crude rising above $145 (£73) a barrel for the first time. |