Gordon Brown has mounted a strong defence of his handling of the economy. Interviewed by Today presented John Humphrys, the prime minister said that his policies were not to blame for the recession.

He said that "the problem we faced was that we had a global financial system that was growing, it's the first globalisation crisis, it's the first crisis of international banking. The international banks let us down".

And Mr Brown said that he did not blame business leaders for their opposition to the proposed rise in National Insurance but unrealistic proposed Conservative efficiency savings.

"The Conservatives are building every single policy on a myth," he added.

He pledged to reduce public expenditure by reforming the benefits system and getting more people back to work while protecting frontline services.

Questioned about his own future, Mr Brown said: "I'm here with one purpose. That is to serve my country... I'll be standing for the next five years."

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