Cuts to public spending continue to dominate the news agenda, with analysts predicting they will form the basis of the upcoming general election campaign.

The Tories have been sending mixed messages this week. Health secretary Andrew Lansley said NHS spending would rise slower under the Tories than Labour.

That ran against previous Conservative commitments to spend more on health than Labour.

A TaxPayers’ Alliance report, in conjunction with the Institute of Directors, suggested huge cuts to public spending on Friday, with many of the groups affected – including health and children’s’ welfare organisations – berating it.

The issue will return when the three main parties hold their conferences starting next week with the Liberal Democrats in Bournemouth.