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Next week's budget will reflect a growing and balanced economy, chancellor Gordon Brown has said.

Speaking in an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Brown, favoured by many to be named the next Labour party leader, said he believed the public will see the positive effects of the economy's robust health.

"I don't think people will be in any doubt when they see the figures that Britain has come through the challenges it has faced and that the economy is growing in a balanced way," he said.

The 56-year-old politician told the newspaper that his 11th budget, due to be delivered on March 21st, will also see benefits for businesses in order to boost the UK markets.

He added: "We have already cut corporation tax from 33 pence to 30 pence. We have cut capital gains tax for business assets from 40 pence to 10 pence for long-term investments…We want Britain to remain one of the most competitive countries in the world."

Mr Brown also spoke about his forthcoming leadership campaign, planned for when prime minister Tony Blair steps down after a decade in office later this year. However the Glasgow-born politician insisted it was necessary to concentrate upon the job at hand before outlining his propositions as a candidate.

"The time for setting out one's stall for the future will be when actually there is a leadership election. People want us to get on with the job of governing and then sort out these other issues at a later time," he said.

Working in the same government position since Labour's landslide election victory in 1997, Mr Brown is the longest-serving chancellor since the 19th century politician Nicolas Vansittart.