PM's vow on 'long-term decisions'

Mr Brown shrugged off suggestions that he may be forced out of his position by growing unease on the Labour benches, insisting he is the "best-placed" person to lead Britain through a global economic downturn.

He denied he had broken his own sustainable investment rule by borrowing £2.7 billion to pay for a tax cut to compensate the losers from the abolition of the 10p income tax rate, and said that injecting the money into the economy could help Britain avoid recession.

The UK was better placed to deal with worldwide recession than it was in the previous downturn under a Conservative government in the early 1990s, because of Labour's record on keeping inflation under control, acting to support the housing market and maintaining low unemployment, he said.

Mr Brown's comments came in an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme the day after he unveiled his draft legislative programme for 2008/09, which included measures to help first-time home-buyers, expand access to training and "personalise" public services.

It forms part of his effort to mount a fightback following Labour's dismal showing in the local elections, ahead of next Thursday's crucial by-election in Crewe and Nantwich. Later, the Prime Minister will face the media for his regular press conference at 10 Downing Street.

Mr Brown told Today: "We will do everything we can over the next period of time to take Britain through what is a difficult time for every economy around the world. I believe that is going to be the central issue and my immediate priority over the next few weeks and months."

Asked if he thought it might be time for him to stand aside for another leader to take Labour forward, Mr Brown said: "There is a job to do. I have had experience in the last 11 years of building a strong economy in this country. The reason (the economy) is going wrong is international factors that we have had to deal with and I am probably best placed to deal with these issues because of what I know about dealing with other countries on oil and other issues.

"Of course there are many people that can take over, but I think I can help steer this economy through difficult times and make sure we do the best by Britain in difficult world circumstances."

Brushing off criticism in books by John Prescott and Cherie Blair, the Prime Minister insisted that "a few days' headlines are not as important as getting the right long-term decisions for this country".