MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

PM Brown and Tory leader Cameron clash over public spending cuts

“There's only one person we want to put on the unemployment register and that's you!”

The leader of the British opposition, David Cameron has accused the Prime Minister of “deceit” over public spending cuts. Tory leader Cameron rounded on Mr Brown at Commons question time, after he again claimed the Tories were planning 10% cuts.

In rowdy exchanges, Mr Brown said that under a Tory Government people could look forward not just to 10% cuts in public spending but also rising unemployment.

Challenged by Mr Cameron to say if there would be a spending review before the election, Mr Brown said it would be “completely wrong” to have one “in the midst of a recession” when it was impossible to forecast unemployment and growth.

Mr Cameron repeatedly insisted that under the Government's plans total spending would be cut after 2011. Mr Brown sparked Tory jeers and laughter when he denied this, saying total spending would continue to rise and it would be a “zero per cent rise in 2013-14”.

As the row over spending escalated, Mr Cameron mocked the Prime Minister's performance as “one of the most feeble” ever. Rejecting Mr Brown's charge that the Conservatives would let unemployment rise, Mr Cameron retorted: “There's only one person we want to put on the unemployment register and that's you!”

He said: “Last week I think it was demonstrated for everyone to see that capital spending under Labour will be cut. Now I want to turn to total spending. Will you accept that your own figures show that ... total spending will be cut after 2011?”

Mr Brown replied: “No. Total spending will continue to rise and it will be a zero per cent rise in 2013-14. In 2011-12 and 2012-13 it will continue to rise.”