Brown in town as strike hits

Gordon Brown this afternoon condemned the teachers' strike as "regrettable and unjustifiable" on a surprise visit to Wolverhampton.

As teachers took to the streets Mr Brown arrived in the city before travelling on to Bilston Nursery School Early Excellence Centre.

His visit came as he attempted to restore credibility following a humiliating climbdown in the 10p tax row.

He was also facing the first teachers' strike in 21 years, with school staff protesting at the 2.45 per cent offer with further rises of 2.3 per cent over the next two years.

Speaking about the strike, Mr Brown told the Express & Star: "It is really regrettable and unjustifiable.

"The pay of teachers is decided by the independent pay review body. It then makes recommendations."

Gordon Brown, accompanied by his wife Sarah, smiled broadly but said nothing as he was whisked through Wolverhampton Station by police and taken to a waiting car.

Police led the convoy to the Early Excellence Centre in Wolverhampton Street, where he was given a tour by manager Emma Smith.

Mr Brown spoke to children at the SureStart nursery, which opened last year, helping them make dinosaurs from modelling clay. The visit, arranged ahead of next Thursday's council elections, took on added importance as it was his first public appearance since yesterday's embarrassing U-turn over plans to axe the 10p tax rate.

Faced with the prospect of near-certain defeat in the Commons, Mr Brown offered key concessions to compensate low earners in the controversial move.

Asked whether this had been his worst week in politics, Mr Brown said: "This is what the job is all about. What we're doing today is getting out around the country." He said he would "of course" lead Labour into the next general election.

By Becky Sharpe