By Andrew Grice

Frantic activity from both the Tories and Labour today as they highlight measures to help people and small firms survive the downturn. David Cameron has called for a 1 per cent cut in national insurance contributions for 2.3m small businesses. The Government has queried where the money would come from. Cameron has rejected the Government's decision to review plans to extend flexible working to see whether the extra burden on companies should be eased in the current climate. Ministers, who are urging the banks to go easy on homeowners and firms,  say the Tories are all about headline-grabbing gimmicks rather than hard decisions, saying that shows the difference between opposition and government.

Today's battle almost has the feel of a general election campaign, with proposals and counter-proposals flying backwards and forwards. Indeed, some of the ideas may well have implications for the next election.  Labour's plan to speed up building projects to keep the economic wheels turning could bring it a double boost. It would allow a school renovation programme that is behind schedule to catch up and deny the Tories a pot of money since they have promised to take £4.5bn out of the programme to fund their planned independent state schools. Even when the parties are seeking to be "on the side" of the people, they can't resist playing politics.