Stephen Byers will today announce that the government plans for a public-private partnership for the London Underground provide taxpayers with value for money and should go ahead.

The FT reports that the financial review of the scheme by Ernst and Young will find that claims of value for money are "subjective" but "supported by its analysis".

The report,and an earlier study by PricewaterhouseCoopers will be published today.

London mayor Ken Livingstone has said that once the details have been published, he will consider legal action to prevent the plan going ahead.