Addressing the CBI today the chancellor will say that Britain's hard-won stability will be maintained over coming years.

Gordon Brown will move to calm fears that he is set to breach his own rules on fiscal responsibility.

"We will not yield to any inflationary pressures, any unaffordable wage demands or any short-term quick-fixes or soft options that would risk or squander the huge economic opportunities that our hard-won stability offers the British people," he will say.

Whilst he will admit to a challenge ahead he will insist the government is committed to a stable economy.

"Stability is never a final achievement but always a permanent never-ending challenge. Stability first: yesterday, today, tomorrow and always," he will add.