Gordon Brown on Monday attempted to head off a potentially disastrous Labour tax rebellion by promising to consult on new measures to fight poverty, as he faced renewed criticism from the party’s fractious backbenchers.

Frank Field, the Labour MP spearheading opposition to Mr Brown’s plan to axe the 10p income tax band, said the offer was totally inadequate for 5.3m poorer workers facing higher taxes now. “Even Marie Antoinette offered people cake,” he said.