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Brown set to focus on education Brown set to focus on education
(30 minutes later)
Chancellor Gordon Brown is expected to put investment in schools at the heart of what will be his 10th and possibly final pre-Budget report. Gordon Brown will put spending on schools at the heart of his 10th and possibly final pre-Budget report.
He told the BBC he wants to focus on improving schools and colleges so the UK could meet future challenges from countries such as China and India. The chancellor said better education was vital for the UK to meet challenges from countries such as China and India.
Higher fuel duty for motorists and air passengers are also expected as part of a package of "green" measures.Higher fuel duty for motorists and air passengers are also expected as part of a package of "green" measures.
The Tories have called for green taxes, including a carbon tax on businesses. The Tories said Mr Brown's boasts masked falling living standards, while the Lib Dems said his legacy would be government waste and personal debt.
The chancellor, the favourite to become the next PM, is expected to give an upbeat assessment of the economy, but the pre-Budget report is being seen as more of a political manifesto for the leader-in-waiting. The chancellor, who is favourite to become the next prime minister, is expected to give an upbeat assessment of the economy, claiming it is performing better than most European competitors.
But his pre-Budget report is being seen as more of a political manifesto for the leader-in-waiting.
'Planet''Planet'
During a round of media interviews on Wednesday morning he said that education was vital to ensure that British workers were well placed for the future. During a round of media interviews on Wednesday morning he said that education, in schools, colleges and the workplace, was vital to ensure that British workers were well placed for the future.
He told the BBC he wanted "people to focus on how we can improve our schools and colleges" and make them the "best in the world". He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have stability in the economy. The problem now is to prepare this economy and this country for the future.
There also needed to be better training for people who are already in work. "You will not be able to do this unless you invest heavily in the education and training of young people, of children, young people and adults who are already in the work place."
Mr Brown is expected to say the economy looks on track to at least match - if not exceed - the Treasury's 2-2.5% prediction of economic growth for this year.
The pre-Budget report will be Mr Brown's 10thThe pre-Budget report will be Mr Brown's 10th
Mr Brown is expected to say the economy looks on track to at least match - if not exceed - the Treasury's 2-2.5% prediction of economic growth for this year.
The chancellor may also revise up the economy's trend growth rate from 2.5% to 2.75% - a move which could reduce pressure for future interest rate rises.The chancellor may also revise up the economy's trend growth rate from 2.5% to 2.75% - a move which could reduce pressure for future interest rate rises.
Mr Brown, who is seen as wanting to reclaim the environment as an issue from Tory rival David Cameron, told the BBC there were a range of measures which could be taken to help improve air quality and to ensure a "healthier planet".Mr Brown, who is seen as wanting to reclaim the environment as an issue from Tory rival David Cameron, told the BBC there were a range of measures which could be taken to help improve air quality and to ensure a "healthier planet".
Speculation has focused on the possible taxes on "gas guzzling" 4x4 cars and for air travel, after the Stern review in October on climate change warned that action was necessary to combat global warming.Speculation has focused on the possible taxes on "gas guzzling" 4x4 cars and for air travel, after the Stern review in October on climate change warned that action was necessary to combat global warming.
But Mr Brown said he would not give precise details until he delivered the report to MPs in the House of Commons, which is expected to be at about 1240 GMT.But Mr Brown said he would not give precise details until he delivered the report to MPs in the House of Commons, which is expected to be at about 1240 GMT.
Mr Brown was denounced by his Conservative shadow George Osborne as a "Wizard of Oz" chancellor, whose loud boasts of economic success masked actual failure.
Living standards
According to a dossier produced by Mr Osborne, Britain's performance on growth, unemployment, tax increases, budget deficits and productivity is actually lagging behind that of other industrialised nations.
Much of this year's apparently healthy growth in the economy can be accounted for by the contribution of immigrants from eastern Europe, who have depressed earnings in some sectors, said the shadow chancellor.
There has been no "feelgood factor" because inflation has been rising faster than wages, driving real living standards for the majority down.
Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman Vince Cable said his party's research suggested wasteful government spending was now exceeding £30,000 a minute.
"Gordon Brown's legacy may be to leave his successor with two enormous problems - personal debt and government waste," said Mr Cable.