Gordon Brown has unveiled Labour's manifesto for the May 6 General Election, promising to rebuild the economy, renew society and restore faith in politics.

Under the slogan "A Future Fair For All", the document sets out plans to give citizens a greater voice in public services and allow the takeover or merger of under-performing schools, hospitals and even police forces.

As expected, Labour promises not to raise the basic, higher or top rates of income tax over the life of the next Parliament. There is no such commitment on VAT, though Labour does pledge not to extend it to food, children's clothes, books, newspapers and public transport.

Launching the document at a Birmingham hospital, Mr Brown said the manifesto was "ambitious but affordable, bold but realistic".

He added: "There are no big new spending commitments, but there is a determination for every penny to be used wisely, and, as present plans make clear, to give the maximum protection to frontline public services."

Among plans to support the recovery, Labour promises to create one million new skilled jobs and establish a Green Investment Bank to direct funds to new low-carbon technologies. The minimum wage will rise "at least in line with average earnings" and there will be a new £40-a-week Better Off in Work guarantee.