PM in public services reform pledge

Making his first appearance before the Commons Liaison Committee, the Prime Minister said that services would become increasingly "personalised" as the Government built on Labour's earlier reforms.

"I think you will see it intensify and I think you will see it wider and deeper in future years than it has been in the last few years," he said.

"The next stage is to combine the diversity of supply with greater attention to diversity in demand. In other words, services that meet the personal needs of the individual citizen.

"So you will be talking not just about public services but about personal services, not just about a universal service that seems to be uniform, but a service that is tailored to people's needs."

He cited as examples one-to-one teaching in schools for those who needed it - from the most gifted pupils to those who were falling behind - and the elderly and disabled being able to direct their own care with finance provided through the social services.

As well as personalised services, Mr Brown said there would be a greater focus on one-to-one relationships between individuals and doctors, teachers and other professionals.

Citing the long-term unemployed, people leaving care and those trying to get off drugs, he said: "What makes a big difference to their lives is one-to-one contact. Someone who is there to give assistance to them."

The Prime Minister said such work was more than the public sector could often provide, so there would be greater use of the voluntary sector.

"Volunteering is going to become more important in this country," he said.