Michael Howard launched a wide ranging attack on the government's record during prime minister's question time.

The Conservative leader accused Tony Blair of presiding over "failure" in a number of areas.

Ministers had failed on tackling homelessness, crime and pensions said Howard.

There had been a "total failure to deliver", he told MPs.

Labour had promised to end the "scandal" of people living in bed and breakfast accommodation but the number of people classed as homeless had almost doubled since 1997, said the Tory chief.

But Blair hit back saying the government was increasing spending on housing, while the Conservatives were committed to reducing the budget.

Howard continued by saying that nearly one million children play truant each year. "How does he explain that failure?"

The prime minister accepted that "there is much more to do on truancy" but said schools were improving.

Responding, the Conservative leader said Blair had "failed to answer the question" and "hasn't explained the reason for his failure".

Continuing the attack, he said it was easier to commit a crime and get away with it now than at any time in the last 25 years.

Blair said Labour had presided over falling crime levels.

But he faced a further attack on why Britain's pensions system had "worsened".

Howard said the prime minister should explain the government's "failure" on pensions.

Blair insisted that the Pension Credit and other measures were helping the poorest pensioners.

Howard launched a final attack, saying the new biography of home secretary David Blunkett had revealed the government's "total failure to deliver".