Labour set for renewed Tory assault

Labour is mounting a fresh PR blitz as it seeks to expand its growing poll lead.

With weekend polls showing Labour is 10 points ahead of the Conservatives, ministers hope to use this week's pre-Budget report to boost support amongst core groups.

On Monday the party's elections supremo Alan Milburn was setting out a new advertising campaign.

As the pre-election campaign goes into overdrive, Milburn was expected to claim that "Britain is working - don't let the Tories wreck it again" at an event in Newcastle.

A similar assault on the Conservatives will be mounted by senior Labour figures throughout the UK.

Wales secretary Peter Hain said the campaign would keep the pressure on the Conservatives as the election nears.

"We believe the Welsh people are proud of Wales - what we stand for, our proud history and future potential, and the progress being made in our health service, schools, police and economy," he added.