Brown boost for apprenticeships

Mr Brown said he wanted to listen to people's concerns about the downturn

Gordon Brown has begun a three-day tour of England and Wales, aimed at showing that he is heeding concerns about the impact of the economic downturn.

Mr Brown is starting his trip in Derby where he is announcing an increase in apprenticeships offered by companies.

He will visit businesses in areas hit by unemployment in the 1980s and hold a cabinet meeting in the North West.

The Conservatives have stepped up attacks on Mr Brown's handling of what they call "Labour's debt crisis".

Party leader David Cameron called the government's