The Conservatives yesterday condemned as a "pre-election gimmick" Labour's new £45 million neighbourhood regeneration scheme aimed at tackling social exclusion in some of the most deprived areas in Britain.
The Shadow environment secretary, Mr Archie Norman, accused Mr Tony Blair's government of fragmenting the existing regeneration budget into "a thousand, politically-correct particles" designed to please every social inclusion lobby group, but in reality providing nothing new.
In the run-up to the general election, expected in May, the Conservatives will be attacking Labour on its record on tax and spending on public services, accusing the government of failing to deliver increased numbers of teachers, police officers and of failing the poor. Expanding on the party's pre-election message that the government promised much but has delivered little, Mr Norman said: "Crime is rising, homelessness is rising, families in bed-and-breakfast accommodation have risen, poverty has risen and police numbers have fallen. Despite the rhetoric, the money spent on regeneration is less than under the Major government."
As he presented the government's report on regeneration during a visit to a housing estate in Stepney, east London, which is one of the areas being aimed at by the scheme, the Prime Minister appeared to predict the Tory attack. He told residents: "We have still not succeeded in giving everyone a share in Britain's economic success . . . there are still whole areas, not just individual people, excluded from society's prosperity."
He said the government's aim was to spread prosperity "to every part of Britain, every town and village, every estate in our cities" by supporting local employment projects and helping local people to rebuild their neighbourhoods in 900 wards in the 88 most deprived areas. Under the plan the government believes that within 20 years no one will be seriously disadvantaged because of where they live.
Linking social problems such as education, housing, crime and the benefits system would enable the government to act as "a partner, not a master" with local communities being given more power to address problems at a local level. "Neighbourhood managers" will be appointed in target areas to liaise with residents, local authorities and according to circumstances, the police and National Health Service, to resolve local difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Tory leader, Mr William Hague, has increased the pressure on the Prime Minister to take part in live TV debates during the general election campaign. In a BBC interview at the weekend, Mr Hague has abandoned his earlier opposition to three-way debates with Mr Blair and the Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Charles Kennedy, saying: "Let's have the debates agreed, straightaway."
He had suggested three head-to-head debates but Mr Hague has now accepted a BBC/ITV proposal for two three-way debates, possibly taking place on the last two Sundays before polling day.
However, with Downing Street accepting the debates "in principle" but refusing to take part until the detail has been agreed - it has suggested smaller parties could mount legal challenges if they are left out - it is not clear whether the debates will take place at all.
British Government plans to hand families tax breaks are failing, the shadow social security secretary, Mr David Willetts, claimed last night. Millions are missing out on £2.6 billion in breaks already introduced because of the complex way the system works, said Mr Willetts.