Economy row breaks out in final PMQs

Gordon Brown and David Cameron clashed over the economy in the final Prime Minister’s question time before the General Election.

The leaders of the largest two parties criticised each others' tax and spending plans.

Brown accused the Tory leader of ‘deceiving' businesses by calling a planned rise in national insurance a ‘tax on jobs'.

However, when pressed on the issue the Prime Minister did not repeat his comments, but said the NI rise would ensure schools, police and the NHS were properly funded.

Labour accused the Conservatives of threatening the economic recovery by planning spending cuts, and said a Tory government would cause a ‘double dip' recession.

The Tories say they forced the Government to drop a 10% tax on cider and a proposed broadband levy on telephone lines in their latest Finance Bill.

Today's question time is the last before the General Election on 6 May, and was particularly rowdy.

MPs are rapidly working to do deals on legislation, which must be passed before Parliament is dissolved at the beginning of next week.