Hewitt attacks 'shocking poverty'

Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt has hit out at "shocking" levels of poverty and inequality in Britain in another veiled attack on Tony Blair's record from within his Cabinet.

Ms Hewitt said the "gulf " between rich and poor in health, education and opportunities would have horrified Thirties socialists.

Her surprisingly frank comments followed last week's call by Commons Leader Peter Hain for the better off to pay more income tax to ease the burden on middle and lower-income families. They also came as a new opinion poll showed Labour's lead over the Conservatives narrowing to only four points, its smallest since the fuel crisis of 2000.

The ICM survey for the Guardian put Labour on 38 points and the Tories on 34. Mr Blair's popularity recorded another fall, down from minus eight points last month to minus 13 now.

Ms Hewitt told a Fabian Society conference that inequalities in Britain still led to a "gulf in health, education and life chances".

Her tough assessment was all the more surprising as it came from a minister who is seen as a Blair loyalist. She did not follow Mr Hain in mentioning income tax levels - - a move which saw him brutally slapped down by both the Prime Minister and Gordon Brown.

But she left it in no doubt that she believed there was much work to do before the gap between rich and poor could be narrowed.