Gordon Brown will today indicate that November's pre-Budget report will contain measures to help businesses in run-down areas.

At the formal opening of the Treasury's new offices in Whitehall, the chancellor will tell business that his department "will do all we can to help you - removing barriers to productivity and enterprise".

The FT concludes that the comments will be seen as a confirmation that the government will continue with the controversial "business planning zones" - areas where developments meeting set rules can proceed without planning consent.