Gordon Brown has promised to reform public services in order to put the needs of their users first.
The comments come as the government prepares to announce on Monday its final set of legislative plans before the next general election.
In what the Times describes as a "defiant" interview, the prime minister also rejects suggestions he will step down.
"I have got a job to do," he says. "One that every day I address with new enthusiasm."
And the government's draft legislative programme and policy blueprint will set out plans to win back support by promising greater individual control over public services.
"We are prepared to take on any vested interest that stands in the way of better services," he says.
"Services exist not for the public servants but for the people who are there to be served. For the patient, parent, resident and citizen our first focus will be how they can be better served."
On law and order, Brown says the police and courts will be required to listen more to the views of local communities.
And defending Labour's economic record, the prime minister adds: "We have a growth strategy and a jobs strategy under which we will not allow young people to become long-term unemployed and, instead, we will ensure that that they are skilled and have the training necessary for them to get jobs in the future."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd