Looking beyond the forthcoming election, the Cabinet has discussed plans for a series of radical reforms within 18 months of Tony Blair being re-elected.

At Thursday's meeting of senior ministers, there was agreement on plans including pensions reform and an overhaul of public health.

The Conservatives, however, said such planning showed the government was "taking the people of Britain for granted".

"It is quite clear that Tony Blair remains as arrogant as ever and also demonstrates that the last Queen's Speech was nothing more than a headline grabbing stunt," said co-chairman Liam Fox.

However, Labour receives a boost from an opinion poll for Friday's Telegraph which gives the party a six point lead over the Tories.

Coming after separate MORI and ICM surveys which suggested that the Conservatives were enjoying a surge in popularity, the YouGov survey will be a relief to Labour strategists.

The poll has Labour on 38 per cent, the Tories on 32 per cent and the Lib Dems on 21 points. 

Back on the campaign trail, the Times reports that the three main party leaders have been taking their message direct to voters in a bid to avoid a "cynical" media.

There have been 37 regional tours this year, says the paper, even before the election campaign has formally begun.