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Leaders clash on public spending Leaders clash on public spending
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown and David Cameron have clashed in the Commons over public spending amid claims both Labour and the Conservatives plan to make cuts.Gordon Brown and David Cameron have clashed in the Commons over public spending amid claims both Labour and the Conservatives plan to make cuts.
Mr Brown said the Tories would cut spending by 10% after the next election with "basic services" badly affected.Mr Brown said the Tories would cut spending by 10% after the next election with "basic services" badly affected.
Voters had a choice between Labour investment and Tory cuts, he claimed.Voters had a choice between Labour investment and Tory cuts, he claimed.
But Mr Cameron said Labour's own plans were for big cuts in spending and said the election would be about Labour's "appalling" economic "mismanagement".But Mr Cameron said Labour's own plans were for big cuts in spending and said the election would be about Labour's "appalling" economic "mismanagement".
'Massive cuts''Massive cuts'
At prime minister's questions, Mr Brown seized on comments made earlier by Tory health spokesman Andrew Lansley appearing to suggest a future Conservative government would cut spending in most areas by 10% after 2011 - comments the Tories deny.At prime minister's questions, Mr Brown seized on comments made earlier by Tory health spokesman Andrew Lansley appearing to suggest a future Conservative government would cut spending in most areas by 10% after 2011 - comments the Tories deny.
He said this represented "massive" cuts to "vital" services.He said this represented "massive" cuts to "vital" services.
In contrast, he said under Labour spending would rise, in real terms, in each of the next five years.In contrast, he said under Labour spending would rise, in real terms, in each of the next five years.
"This is the day when the Conservatives have revealed their true manifesto for this country," he said."This is the day when the Conservatives have revealed their true manifesto for this country," he said.
This is the day when the Conservatives have revealed their true manifesto for this country Gordon Brown The Full Story: PM's questions This is the day when the Conservatives have revealed their true manifesto for this country Gordon Brown The Full Story: PM's questions class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2009/06/whos_planning_w.html">Nick Robinson's blog
"The choice is between a government prepared to invest in the future and a Tory Party which is going to cut.""The choice is between a government prepared to invest in the future and a Tory Party which is going to cut."
But Mr Cameron said the Treasury's own projections would result in a sharp fall in spending after 2011.But Mr Cameron said the Treasury's own projections would result in a sharp fall in spending after 2011.
He said the government's economic legacy was catastrophic, with the "biggest budget deficit in the country's history".He said the government's economic legacy was catastrophic, with the "biggest budget deficit in the country's history".
The election would not be about investment versus cuts, he said, but Labour's record over the past 12 years.The election would not be about investment versus cuts, he said, but Labour's record over the past 12 years.
"It will be about the mismanagement of the public finances, the appalling deficits he has left and and his plan for cuts," Mr Cameron said."It will be about the mismanagement of the public finances, the appalling deficits he has left and and his plan for cuts," Mr Cameron said.
'Labour deception''Labour deception'
In an interview with the Today programme, Mr Lansley said the Tories would increase spending on health, schools and international aid after 2011.In an interview with the Today programme, Mr Lansley said the Tories would increase spending on health, schools and international aid after 2011.
But he added: "That does mean over three years after 2011 a 10% reduction in the departmental expenditure limits for other departments.But he added: "That does mean over three years after 2011 a 10% reduction in the departmental expenditure limits for other departments.
"It is a very tough spending requirement indeed.""It is a very tough spending requirement indeed."
The Tories maintain Mr Lansley was talking about the government's spending intentions not those of a future Conservative administration, pointing out that spending was projected to fall under Labour after 2011 - by as much as 7% in some areas.The Tories maintain Mr Lansley was talking about the government's spending intentions not those of a future Conservative administration, pointing out that spending was projected to fall under Labour after 2011 - by as much as 7% in some areas.
In a statement, the party said Mr Lansley was pointing out that Labour was trying to "deceive" the public by suggesting it could avoid spending cuts after 2011.In a statement, the party said Mr Lansley was pointing out that Labour was trying to "deceive" the public by suggesting it could avoid spending cuts after 2011.
The debate over public spending is set to intensify in the run-up to the election with both main parties having to explain how they will reduce the spiralling level of public debt without tax rises or spending cuts.The debate over public spending is set to intensify in the run-up to the election with both main parties having to explain how they will reduce the spiralling level of public debt without tax rises or spending cuts.
But the BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson said neither party were comfortable talking about where the cuts, which would have to happen, would fall.
'Building programme'
During prime minister's questions, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg urged Mr Brown to deliver help householders through the recession.
Mr Clegg said the Treasury was guilty of "grabbing" money from council rents and sales and urged the prime minster to allow local authorities to build new homes.
"Since January, when you announced the biggest council house building programme in decades, only 20 new homes have been started," Mr Clegg told the prime minister.
Mr Brown said he did not accept the figures, arguing that there were one million more people in homes since Labour came to power.