Cameron slams government on economy
Updated on 25 January 2010
Cut the deficit now: David Cameron accuses the government of putting "naked political calculation" ahead of the national interest by failing to reduce public spending.
Official figures out tomorrow are expected to show that Britain has come out of recession.
Speaking at his regular press conference, the Conservative leader said this was "good news".
But he said that with Britain borrowing £6,000 a second, action was needed immediately to cut the £178bn deficit.
Gordon Brown is holding his press conference at the moment - and is expected to say that Labour's "active government" approach has led the country back into growth.
The Conservatives have said they would impose cuts in an emergency budget if they win the impending general election.
Mr Cameron said: "Our recession, the great recession, is the longest and deepest since the war - and coming out of recession does not mean that our debt crisis is over.
"In fact, far from it: Labour's debt crisis is now the biggest threat to our recovery so we will only get this recovery right if we start right now on a proper debt reduction plan.
"The government's promise to halve the deficit in four years has frankly failed to convince those who we need to have confidence in Britain's economic future.
"A key part of any plan is at least some early action to show you are serious in your intent. That means some reduction in public spending plans in this coming financial year."
The Conservative leader said the government's approach was to "do nothing", adding: "If we are going to have to wait for May for an election and if there is going to be a budget in March, they need to show how they are going to start now.
"They are about to tell us that the economy is growing so they have no further excuse to delay action except naked political calculation."
Mr Brown will talk later about the government's plans for guarantees for work or training for all young people who have been out of work for six months.
He is likely to be asked about the date of the election after the Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth's suggestion in an interview that voters would be going to the polls in May.
He may be questioned on Britain's involvement in the Iraq war, having agreed to appear before the Chilcot inquiry before the election.
His predecessor Tony Blair will be grilled by inquiry members on Friday.
