Leaders hit road in economy push

The party leaders are anxious to show they are listening to business

Britain's political leaders have hit the road in an attempt to show their concerns about the economic downturn.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited firms in England and South Wales on the final leg of a three-day regional tour.

Tory leader David Cameron visited north-east England where he met bosses of car maker Nissan UK, which is cutting 1,200 jobs.

And Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg toured a metal manufacturer in his Sheffield constituency.

'Radical action'

Mr Brown completed the last leg of regional tour, which has seen him visit the East Midlands, West Midlands, Liverpool and Derby.

He outlined government support for small and medium-sized businesses during a visit to a Midlands software firm and a Gwent company which makes in-flight equipment.

We are giving what support we can to the resumption of lending Gordon Brown

He said the UK was taking "radical measures" to support its economy and amid concerns about the workings of the banking system hinted at further action to force firms to increase lending.

"We are giving what support we can to the resumption of lending," he said. "We will be meeting the banks in the next few days to agree with them on how we can move this forward."

But the Conservatives said measures to kick-start bank lending had proved totally ineffectual and a new approach was needed.

After talks with senior representatives of Nissan, which is cutting almost a quarter of its workforce at the UK's biggest car plant in Sunderland, Mr Cameron reiterated his call for a