Harriet Harman has said the government will prioritise helping the poorest in society through the economic crisis.
Writing in the Labour conference edition of the House Magazine ahead of the Manchester gathering which begins this weekend, the deputy leader and party chairman acknowledged that "it's been a tough year".
Harman said the "US financial crisis", coupled with rising food and fuel inflation, have "hit hardest those who can least afford it".
However she added in her message to delegates: "While the Tories try and make political capital out of the international economic turbulence, the Labour government is determined to protect the most vulnerable.
"Our main concern is, and always has been, people who find it a struggle to make ends meet even at the best of times.
"People in Britain are better off than they were 10 years ago. That's due to a Labour government. And we wanted everyone to share in that rising national prosperity.
"That's why we determined to end child poverty, to ensure that everyone could get a job, and it's why we boosted the income of pensioners."
The equalities minister also warned that "just as we wanted everyone to share in the good times, we expect everyone to play their part in the new economic circumstances".
"Everyone needs to pitch in and pull together when times are hard," Harman said.
She also gave strong backing for Gordon Brown. "I believe we are fortunate in having as our prime minister a man of conviction, of principles, someone of experience and vision for the future – Gordon Brown," she said.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd