Brown made to defend tax rate.

GORDON BROWN, pictured, was today coming under continuing pressure over the 50% tax rate announced in Wednesday's Budget, which he last night insisted was necessary to get Britain through the recession.

Conservative leader David Cameron made it clear that he would use a keynote speech to his party's Spring Forum tomorrow to renew his attack on the Budget, which he said was best summed up with the word "dishonest".

Meanwhile, reports suggesting Tony Blair was ''dismayed'' over the 50p tax rate for people earning over pounds 150,000 were dismissed by sources.

Mr Brown said last night it was right that those who had done the best in recent years should pay more tax to help the country through difficult economic times..