Summit aims to safeguard UK jobs

Gordon Brown is expected to say that doing nothing is not an option

Gordon Brown is to host talks with business and union leaders about measures aimed at safeguarding jobs during the downturn.

With 1.8 million people out of work, the prime minister is expected to warn that a failure to act now will mean a deeper and longer recession.

Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell will also give details on a plan to help the long-term unemployed.

The Tories have dismissed the meeting as an exercise in spin.

Mr Brown is expected to open the jobs summit at the Science Museum in London with a warning that a deeper recession would mean whole communities being written off and lasting damage to the economy.

Cash inducements

BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said the prime minister will pledge "this will not happen on my watch".

Before Christmas the number of people out of work stood at 1.8 million and some economists believe it could approach three million by 2010.

To combat that Mr Brown will set out plans to prepare Britain for growth in sectors such as environmental technology, advanced manufacturing, health care and education.

As part of the summit Mr Purnell will give details of a