David Cameron prepares economic growth plan

Speculation surrounds a potential cabinet reshuffle by the prime minister

David Cameron has vowed to show "fighting spirit" as he prepares to announce a series of measures designed to promote economic growth.

After being asked by one of his own MPs this week if he was a man or a mouse, the PM said he wanted to "cut through the dither" that held Britain back.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, he said a key part of economic recovery was "building the houses our people need".

Tory MP David Davis has criticised the PM's plans and outlined his own policy.

The former shadow home secretary told the Sunday Telegraph it was not about individual policy areas and called for a "radical pro-growth agenda".

The influential Tory MP wants more tax cuts, school leavers to be encouraged to start their own businesses and more done to encourage banks to lend.

'Paralysis'

The government will outline details of housing and infrastructure projects to coincide with the return of MPs to Parliament after the summer break.

Mr Cameron said the country should not stand for the "paralysis" that causes new housing developments to be held up by entrenched local opposition and lengthy planning inquiries.

Mr Cameron said: "A familiar cry goes up - 'yes we want more housing, but no to every development - and not in my backyard'.

"Frankly, I am frustrated by the hoops you have to jump through to get anything done - and I come back to Parliament more determined than ever to cut through the dither that holds this country back."

Mr Cameron said this government was being braver stating there would be "no more excuses for failure; no more soft exams and soft discipline.

"When the grades went down, a predictable cry went up: that we were hurting the prospects of these children.

"What hurts them is dumbing down their education so that their potential is never reached and no one wants to employ them."

He added the government was "restoring vigour" in welfare by capping benefits.

His article concluded: "At every turn we are taking the hard road over the easy path.

"I'm confident we're making progress. And I'm more ready than ever for the challenge ahead."

Cabinet return

The article comes as the prime minister is preparing his first major cabinet reshuffle.

BBC political correspondent Chris Mason says Mr Cameron is likely to ignore calls from some disgruntled Tory backbenchers to sack Chancellor George Osborne in his cabinet reshuffle.

Conservative party chairman Baroness Warsi has said she wants to keep her job, amid speculation that she may be replaced.

The BBC understands that any changes are unlikely to affect Mr Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May and Foreign Secretary William Hague.

But former Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Laws is being tipped for a return to the cabinet.