Brown plots his political fightback

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A Downing Street spokesman said that the meeting, scheduled for Monday, September 8, was expected to take place in the West Midlands.

Ministers will also be taking part in a series of other events in the region on the day where they will have an opportunity to "engage" with the public.

"We feel that it is consistent with the Government's approach that it wants to listen and learn from the experiences of people in this country," the spokesman said.

Cabinet meetings are normally held on a Tuesday morning in No 10, but the spokesman said it was hoped that in future more would take place away from the capital.

It was also confirmed that Chancellor Alistair Darling was taking over responsibility for co-ordinating Government activity in London this week while the Prime Minister continues his family holiday in Suffolk.

Mr Darling replaces Deputy Leader Harriet Harman who was the senior duty minister last week.

Nevertheless, the spokesman emphasised that Mr Brown continued to remain "closely involved" in dealing with key issues.

While he refused to be drawn on reports that ministers were considering a windfall tax on the energy companies, the spokesman confirmed that helping people who were struggling to pay their fuel bills due to soaring prices was now an "absolute priority" for the Government.

"We will continue to work with the energy companies and others to make sure that we provide help, including social tariffs, for those groups," he said. "Protecting those who struggle to heat their homes is an absolute priority for the Government."