This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8449716.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Darling in tough spending cut vow Darling in tough spending cut vow
(about 6 hours later)
The Chancellor Alastair Darling has warned that Britain is facing the toughest spending cuts in 20 years if Labour is re-elected. The Chancellor Alistair Darling has warned that Britain is facing the toughest spending cuts in 20 years if Labour is re-elected.
In an interview with the Times, he says cutting borrowing is non-negotiable and he confirmed there would be a budget before the general election.In an interview with the Times, he says cutting borrowing is non-negotiable and he confirmed there would be a budget before the general election.
Mr Darling said: "My priority is to get borrowing down. Once recovery is established, we have to act."Mr Darling said: "My priority is to get borrowing down. Once recovery is established, we have to act."
He also said Labour had to regain the middle ground to win the election.He also said Labour had to regain the middle ground to win the election.
In the interview, Mr Darling said: "The next spending review will be the toughest we have had for 20 years...to me, cutting the borrowing was never negotiable. Gordon accepts that, he knows that."In the interview, Mr Darling said: "The next spending review will be the toughest we have had for 20 years...to me, cutting the borrowing was never negotiable. Gordon accepts that, he knows that."
Deliver pledgeDeliver pledge
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said confirmation the chancellor will deliver a pre-election budget was designed to stem speculation there may be an early election.BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said confirmation the chancellor will deliver a pre-election budget was designed to stem speculation there may be an early election.
By law, there has to be three months between December's pre-budget report and the actual budget, making a March election all but impossible.By law, there has to be three months between December's pre-budget report and the actual budget, making a March election all but impossible.
Labour has been criticised by its opponents for not spelling out how it would deliver the pledge to halve Britain's deficit over a four-year period.Labour has been criticised by its opponents for not spelling out how it would deliver the pledge to halve Britain's deficit over a four-year period.
Our correspondent said to retain the confidence of the markets the chancellor wanted to talk tough about what would happen if a Labour government is re-elected.Our correspondent said to retain the confidence of the markets the chancellor wanted to talk tough about what would happen if a Labour government is re-elected.
He also indicated that it was essential for Labour to regain credibility with middle-class voters and stressed that election could only be won if his party recaptures the middle ground.He also indicated that it was essential for Labour to regain credibility with middle-class voters and stressed that election could only be won if his party recaptures the middle ground.
Mr Darling told the newspaper that electors support his plan to balance the books.Mr Darling told the newspaper that electors support his plan to balance the books.
"Most people know that public spending has doubled over the last 10 to 12 years, so we are coming off a much higher base, " he said."Most people know that public spending has doubled over the last 10 to 12 years, so we are coming off a much higher base, " he said.
"We are not talking about a situation where we have already cut to the bone.""We are not talking about a situation where we have already cut to the bone."