'Personalised learning' plan unveiled

Ministers will detail plans to give primary and secondary school pupils the chance to benefit from more "personalised learning" tailored to their individual needs.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said apprenticeships would also come under the spotlight, as well as moves to make it easier for people to get on the housing ladder will also be announced.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper is expected to make an announcement that will herald a return to council house building by local authorities.

On Monday Mr Brown called on civil servants to help him "break down the barriers to opportunity" in Britain in a speech setting out his vision for putting government "at the service" of the people.

He said issues such as climate change, terrorism, and globalisation were having a huge impact on the UK.

"What these challenges have in common is that we cannot solve them without involving and engaging the British people," he said.

"People don't want us to walk away. In an insecure world they want us to be with them on their side.

"People want us to put government at the service of creating opportunity for people."

The premier told the gathering of Cabinet Office and Number 10 officials in London the Government had already set out plans to put patients first in the NHS, and give grants to more students.