British PM maps out policies in hard times

MANCHESTER, Britain, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown mapped out clear policies on Tuesday, offering his people security in the face of economic and political hard times.

In a series of moves worded as "a new settlement for new times", Brown said here at the on-going five-day Labor Party Conference that he will work with his U.S. counterparts to stabilize global financial instability and deal with rising energy prices.

The prime minister announced to transform energy use by shifting to new nuclear power, an unprecedented increase in renewables and investment in clean coal, in a resolute and historic bid to end the dictatorship of oil and avert catastrophic climate change.

He urged for an 80 percent cut in carbon emissions in the country by 2050 and calls on British companies and workers to seize the opportunity and lead the world in the transformation to a low carbon economy.

"I believe that we can create in modern green manufacturing and service 1 million new jobs," he said in an hour-long speech aiming to rally party support in the midst of economic hardship and political turmoil.

As more and more people are concerned about rising energy bills in the wake of higher oil prices, Brown promised that this winter "millions of people will receive government help with heating bills, insulation and social tariffs."

He also reassured the public that the government will fight crimes and anti-social behavior, work with families and provide security and dignity for pensioners to work for a fair society.

The government will start to extend free nursery places for two year olds stage by stage, aiming for high quality, affordable childcare for all.

In addition, legislation will be introduced to end child poverty.

On medical care, Britain will invest 15 billion pounds (about 27 billion U.S. dollars) in medical research to direct major advances of the last few years into actual treatments and cures for National Health Service patients.

Next year, he noted, all people over the age of 40 will get free medical check-ups and Britons with cancer will not pay prescription charges. Plans are also in place for the aged people to stay longer in their own homes with protection against costs of care.

Regarding immigration, the prime minister reiterated that point-based system, citizenship test, English language test and migrant charge for public services will all work to ensure migrants prove themselves worthy of working in the country and contribute to the economy without abusing the already heavily-burdened public services.

British economy has gone into recession in the past months with rising food and energy prices, higher inflation rate which double the government target and falling housing prices. Against such backdrop, the financial crisis that hit the country in the last weeks with thousands of job losses predicted has added oil to the already highly soaring flame.

Brown's failure in judgment and a lack of clarity in his policies has led to a steady decline in voters' support to the ruling party, which shows Labor lagging behind the main opposition Conservatives by 20 percentage points.

Brown's speech at the five-day conference is aimed to show his determination and capability to lead the country in the times of economic and political troubles