No tax pledge from Brown

Gordon Brown today refused to rule out tax rises in the next parliament, claiming it would be an "error" to try to second-guess all economic scenarios.

The Chancellor stressed that all of his spending plans were "fully costed" but said he would not be bounced into statements on taxes.

Mr Brown was asked point blank whether he would put the issue beyond doubt by saying: "Read my lips, no new taxes."

He replied: "Nobody is going to make the error, and I hope not even the Conservative party will make the error that politicians like John Major made in 1992, of trying to anticipate every possible circumstance."

His remarks came as the Tories promised to cut taxes within a month of coming to power, holding a special Budget on 5 June. Michael Howard is pledging £500 off pensioners' council tax bills, with other cuts for low- and middle-earners.

The Chancellor was speaking alongside Tony Blair as they published a preview of the economic and education sections of Labour's election manifesto.

Mr Blair said the Tories' spending plans amounted to a "fraudulent prospectus" a "fraudulent prospectus" because £15 billion of their proposals were uncosted.

But the pair faced sustained questioning over tax and predictions by economists that Labour is facing a £10billion economic black hole in the next Parliament.

Mr Brown insisted: "Every single item of expenditure is costed in our spending plans."

But he expressed his frustration when journalists pointed out that he had said the same thing at the 2001 election, only to put up National Insurance rates afterwards.

The Chancellor said those rises came only because a report by Sir Derek Wanless after the election recommendedmassively increasing health spending.

Mr Blair said detailed announcements on tax would be published in Labour's full manifesto later this week.

Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin said: "As usual Mr Brown is refusing to come clean about taxes. Almost every independent economic commentator says he will have to put up taxes to pay for his excessive spending if Labour wins the election. The only question is which taxes?"

The Chancellor also unveiled an economic pledge card, promising low inflation and mortgage rates, a million more homeowners, 300,000 new apprenticeships and a minimum wage of £5.35..

Labour education pledges previewed today included ones to improve discipline by adopting a "zero tolerance" policy to low-level disruption in the classroom and to raise spending per secondary school pupil to £5,500 a year by 2008.

Parents would also be able to call for the sacking of failing headteachers.