UK's Brown fights back after torrid week

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With his popularity sinking, Brown pledged to focus on the long term: speeding up infrastructure projects, perhaps building new nuclear power plants, expanding airports and shaking-up the welfare system to get those on benefits back to work.

"We will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that in future we maintain our hard won stability. We will take no risks," Brown told business leaders in a speech in London.

"Responsible government demands that stability will be our first priority - yesterday, today and tomorrow," he told the Confederation of British Industry's conference.

Two months ago, Brown's Labour Party enjoyed a 12 percentage point lead over the opposition Conservatives and the new prime minister even considered calling an early election to reinforce his mandate after taking over from Tony Blair in June.

But the honeymoon period has ended in the face of perceived dithering over the timing of an election, Britain's first bank run in more than a century, tax-cut pledges by the opposition and news last week the government had lost two computer discs containing personal details of half the nation in the post.

Brown said taxpayers would be protected by Monday's announcement of a preferred buyer for mortgage lender Northern Rock, which in September was forced to seek massive loans from the country's central bank after a credit crunch.

SKILLS TO WORK

Accused by critics in recent days of lacking a substantive vision to drive his Labour Party forward, Brown said a new paradigm was needed which focussed on training people because unskilled work was not an option in a globalised economy.

"Rights and responsibilities will be at the heart of our approach. We'll intensify compulsion while at same time offering new incentives," he said, outlining plans to compel the unemployed to seek skills and jobs.

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