PMQs: a 'zero per cent rise'
Updated on 01 July 2009
Tory leader David Cameron challenged Gordon Brown on public spending again, at today's prime minister's questions.
Brown claimed total spending would continue to increase until a "zero per cent rise" in 2013-14, to jeers from MPs.
Cameron cited a Treasury document which said that medium-term spending would be cut.
Brown said that capital spending had been set to rise until 2011, but some of this spending had been brought forward to help combat the recession.
Brown attacked the Tories for wanting to cut spending while the country is in recession. He said Tory spending plans were based on unemployment continuing to rise "because you will do absolutely nothing about it".
Cameron responded that it was Labour policies putting people out of work, adding: "There's only one person we want to put on the unemployment register and that's the Prime minister.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the "bogus debate" on public spending had hit "new lows". He accused Brown and Cameron of seeking to avoid telling the truth on future plans.
Clegg also questioned Brown on Trident.
