Brown: Prudent

Despite the proximity of the general election the chancellor is predicting that he will deliver a "prudent" Budget later this month.

In an address to Scottish Labour delegates, Gordon Brown played down suggestions that he is planning a giveaway Budget aimed at boosting Labour's election hopes.

Brown told the Scots faithful that he will not play fast and loose with Labour's hard won economic record.

"The Budget will lock in our commitment to monetary vigilance and fiscal discipline," he said.

"We will meet our fiscal rules in a prudent and long-term way, and we will take no risks with stability now, in the next Parliament or at any time."

New challenges

He also warned that the UK economy must be open to change if it is to meet the new challenges of achieving global competitiveness.

"In the new economy that Britain must fashion, there will be no place for the old complacencies or inflexibilities, no room for resistance to change, outmoded ways of working or the old restrictive practices from whatever quarter they come," he added.

"We must be prepared to make any necessary change, implement any necessary new laws, introduce any necessary new incentives, and take on any vested interest to make our country the most adaptable, flexible, skilled, enterprising and innovative in the global economy."

The chancellor will deliver has annual Budget statement to MPs on March 16 - just seven weeks before the predicted May 5 general election.

New crusade

Following his recent trip to Africa, and ahead of the G8 summit, the chancellor also called for a "new crusade" to combat global poverty and disease.

"It is because we are all brothers and sisters that I ask you to persuade thousands of people to gather with the churches, the faith groups, the trade unions and the NGOs in Edinburgh, just before the world leaders meet in Gleneagles, to ensure that the people's voice is heard," said Brown.

"Tell them of the suffering we can no longer allow to happen."