But the Tories are reluctant to advance this argument too vigorously, because they know it will make them vulnerable to the perennial Labour charge that they intend to privatise the National Health Service.

ECONOMIST: Health

The Tories' response to Labour's charge of raised taxes was to claim that living standards had risen.

ECONOMIST: And some Tories won��t stop stamping on John Major��s fingers

Shadow chancellor George Osborne said the comments shattered Labour's charge that only the Conservatives oppose the VAT measures.

BBC: Germany questions UK rescue plan