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I'm honest about spending - Brown I'm honest about spending - Brown
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has insisted he is being honest with people about his spending plans amid opposition claims he is hiding the truth about future cuts.Gordon Brown has insisted he is being honest with people about his spending plans amid opposition claims he is hiding the truth about future cuts.
Mr Brown told the BBC he "always told the truth" and while the UK faced "hard choices", he had a plan to reduce debt while also improving public services.Mr Brown told the BBC he "always told the truth" and while the UK faced "hard choices", he had a plan to reduce debt while also improving public services.
But he admitted a slip of the tongue at PM's questions when he talked of a "0% rise" in spending in 2013/14.But he admitted a slip of the tongue at PM's questions when he talked of a "0% rise" in spending in 2013/14.
He said he meant to say there would be a 0.7% increase.He said he meant to say there would be a 0.7% increase.
Tory leader David Cameron earlier attacked Mr Brown for refusing to acknowledge the Treasury's own figures which he said forecast a fall in "total spending" after 2011.Tory leader David Cameron earlier attacked Mr Brown for refusing to acknowledge the Treasury's own figures which he said forecast a fall in "total spending" after 2011.
Mr Cameron says there is a "thread of dishonesty" running through Mr Brown's leadership, characterised by his refusal to admit to the possibility of future cuts and his apparent decision not to hold a spending review before the election.Mr Cameron says there is a "thread of dishonesty" running through Mr Brown's leadership, characterised by his refusal to admit to the possibility of future cuts and his apparent decision not to hold a spending review before the election.
The honest thing to do is to say we have to get back to growth and jobs Gordon BrownThe honest thing to do is to say we have to get back to growth and jobs Gordon Brown
He says the public will see through the prime minister's argument that the next election will be a choice between Labour investment and Tory cuts.He says the public will see through the prime minister's argument that the next election will be a choice between Labour investment and Tory cuts.
But the prime minister told the BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson it was he who was being honest about the action needed now to boost the economy and measures which would rebalance the public finances in the long term.But the prime minister told the BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson it was he who was being honest about the action needed now to boost the economy and measures which would rebalance the public finances in the long term.
"I have always told the truth," he said."I have always told the truth," he said.
"I have always told people as it is. I have explained we have a deficit reduction plan for the future. But you cannot do that without growth and employment in your economy."I have always told people as it is. I have explained we have a deficit reduction plan for the future. But you cannot do that without growth and employment in your economy.
"The honest thing to do is to say we have to get back to growth and jobs. The dishonest thing is to say this will happen without taking any action at all.""The honest thing to do is to say we have to get back to growth and jobs. The dishonest thing is to say this will happen without taking any action at all."
Gordon Brown: "Total spending will continue to rise and it will be a 0% rise in 2013/14"Gordon Brown: "Total spending will continue to rise and it will be a 0% rise in 2013/14"
By making big efficiency savings in government and selling state-owned assets, Mr Brown said he he could meet targets for cutting debt and still improve frontline services.By making big efficiency savings in government and selling state-owned assets, Mr Brown said he he could meet targets for cutting debt and still improve frontline services.
And he stressed investment now was crucial to returning the economy to growth and to reducing unemployment, itself vital to paying down debt on schedule.And he stressed investment now was crucial to returning the economy to growth and to reducing unemployment, itself vital to paying down debt on schedule.
Mr Brown has accused the Tories of wanting to cut public spending in the middle of a recession and planning 10% cuts in many areas after 2011.Mr Brown has accused the Tories of wanting to cut public spending in the middle of a recession and planning 10% cuts in many areas after 2011.
The Lib Dems have accused the two main parties of staging a phoney debate about spending to prevent a proper discussion of the cuts that will inevitably be needed.The Lib Dems have accused the two main parties of staging a phoney debate about spending to prevent a proper discussion of the cuts that will inevitably be needed.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg accused Gordon Brown of "living in complete denial" about long-term savings which will be needed to balance the nation's books and claimed Mr Cameron wants to cut spending now which would be "economic madness".