Cutting the top rate of income tax is not “one of our priorities”, George Osborne said as he repeatedly ducked Labour calls for him to rule out further help for top earners if the Tories win the general election.

GORDON Brown came under fire yesterday for his admission that, as chancellor, he was not tough enough in regulating the financial sector.

The UK's treasury made a fresh move to shore up Northern Rock today, as Bank of England Governor Mervyn King warned of more gloom for banks across the world.