Cameron promises homes and jobs

David Cameron unveiled plans to boost house-building and help council tenants buy their homes, which he said would help “fire up the engines of the British economy”.

Mr Cameron’s comments, at the start of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, came amid growing signs of Tory unease at the sluggish pace of economic growth.

But the Prime Minister insisted he would not “tear up” his tight deficit-reduction plans, warning that even a few billion pounds of extra spending would put the UK’s low interest rates at risk.

He also sought to rein in activists on Europe and tax cuts, stating that he would not support a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU and making clear that early reductions in tax are not a priority.

LIVE BLOG: Conservative Party conference in Manchester

Thousands of acres of publicly-owned brownfield land are to be released for house-building, with developers given the opportunity to pay for the land after the homes have been sold, by-passing the shortage of upfront finance.

In a move certain to please Tory activists, Mr Cameron also outlined plans to boost the “right to buy” scheme which proved a huge vote-winner for Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.

More attractive discounts will be offered, with the proceeds used to build more affordable housing, he said.

The conference begins as a Channel 4 News/YouGov poll reveals neither David Cameron nor Ed Miliband has convinced voters that they occupy the centre ground in British politics.

People were asked to rate the two leaders and Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister Nick Clegg on a spectrum from minus 100 – for very Left-wing – to plus 100 – for very right wing.

The Tory leader scored 43 while Labour leader Mr Miliband came in at minus 42, a small move upwards from 45 when the exercise was last carried out.

Mr Clegg will perhaps be the happiest with the results, having been rated zero.

Protesters target conference

Thousands of demonstrators have marched through Manchester to coincide with the Conservative Party conference.

Police estimate 30,000 protesters are taking part, marching past the heavily guarded venue where Prime Minister David Cameron’s Tory party is gathered.

Blowing whistles and horns and waving flags and banners claiming Cameron’s “Tory Fat Cats” were to blame for the cuts the noisy demo chanted “Tories out!” as they began the march.

Organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), it has been billed as a march and rally for “The Alternative – jobs, growth, justice” in opposition to the coalition Government’s cuts to public services and pensions.