Government Will Cut Costs

Public costs will be cut to help stave off the recession, the Chancellor said today.

Alistair Darling conceded resources would be "shifted" to front line services, which will include selling off "non-essential public sector assets".

However, Mr Darling insisted a reduction in spending would risk "choking off" economic recovery.

The Chancellor's announcement came the same day Conservative leader David Cameron made it clear a Tory government would cut expenditure, claiming increased spending was "unaffordable".

Speaking to business leaders in Cardiff, Mr Darling said "targeted public investment" was essential to pulling the UK out of recession.

He said the government would have to make "tough choices", but remained committed to building a "fair society".

"In the medium term we need to live within our means, not to do so would be equally irresponsible and damage our country's future," said the Chancellor.

"Gordon Brown and I have spoken of the hard choices needed in public spending over the coming years.

"We won't flinch from the difficult decisions that will be necessary, and we will always act guided by our core values of fairness and responsibility."

Mr Darling also said plans were afoot to increase the top rate of tax on high earners.

In the last budget, the Chancellor said government borrowing for this year would reach £175bn - a figure which the Opposition claims will lead to spending cuts.

Tories have accused the government of not being honest on the matter. Today party leader Mr Cameron said: "We've taken the bold step of saying to the British public very clearly, with a Conservative government, public spending will be cut. Not reduced in growth, not frozen, but cut."

He added: "That candour is a world away from the current Labour government."

(PR/GK)