George Osborne described Mr Balls' speech as "complete nonsense" and accused the shadow chancellor of suggesting that problems in the Eurozone were not affecting the UK, and that the last Labour government had nothing to do with the economic crisis.

BBC: Balls: UK 'crying out' for growth

Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint called for "a complete overhaul of our energy market".

BBC: Gas rings on cooker

His Labour colleague, shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy, was among other MPs to complete the 26.2 mile race.

BBC: Ed Balls thanks Osborne for sponsoring his marathon effort

Liberal Democrat spokesman David Laws said the rights had been drawn up "on the back of a fag packet" and shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said the process was a "complete waste of time".

BBC: Children, Schools and Families Bill