Trade unions have urged Gordon Brown to stand by his spending plans.

In its budget submission to the Treasury, the TUC said the government's top priority had to be sticking to public spending plans.

Despite fears over rising public borrowing, the union organisation insisted that existing plans are sustainable.

The unions said the billions set aside for public services will boost the economy provided that the spending is prudent.

General secretary Brendan Barber said the government should allow itself to be blown off-course by its business critics.

The TUC said its own economic predictions were that April's increase in National Insurance contributions would not hit employment levels and jobs growth in 2003 would be stronger than in the past year.

The submission urged the Treasury to ensure government departments released cash to the frontline.

And it urged both the DTI and the Treasury to develop a buying policy that ensured British based firms won as many orders as possible.

"Business tax is still lower than the international average, and British business more profitable," said Barber. "Complaints of the opposite should be filed under 'they would say that, wouldn't they'."

"Keeping public spending flowing, especially in key capital spending projects, is crucial not just to providing the services the country needs, but also the wider economy," he added.