Message not right, admits Cameron

David Cameron has blamed the Government's recent difficulties on communication problems.

David Cameron has faced up to criticism of his recent performance

Amid continued criticism of the coalition's performance, the Prime Minister insisted it Is taking the right actions but Is "sometimes" failing to get its message across.

The Government has faced a barrage of attacks over controversial tax measures in the Budget and its handling of issues such as the planned strike by fuel tanker drivers and the failed attempt to deport radical cleric Abu Qatada.

Conservative MP Nadine Dorries has accused Mr Cameron andChancellor George Osborne of being "arrogant posh boys" with no understanding of ordinary voters.

The Prime Minister insisted he understood the challenges facing people struggling to pay their bills and suggested the coalition's troubles were down to poor communication. Mr Cameron added: "If you don't communicate what you are doing properly, then yes you have got a problem. Sometimes we have got the action right but the message hasn't been right."

Challenged to apologise for panic buying at the pumps amid threats of a fuel strike, the Prime Minister said: "The Government took the right action in terms of the resilience of the country but we need to do better in terms of communication."

Asked whether he was sorry, he added: "Of course, look, I'm responsible in the end for everything the Government does, and if we don't get it right I'm very clear about that."

In a separate interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Cameron conceded the Government must "raise our game".

Responding to claims that he was not giving the job his full attention, he said he was working "very, very hard" but that it was vital to maintain family life to avoid becoming "fried and exhausted" and making mistakes.

Responding to criticism that he was seen to devote too much time to the school run, "date nights" with wife Samantha and watching DVD box sets, he said: "It has got to be possible to be a decent husband, a good father and a good prime minister at the same time. If it isn't possible then there's something wrong."

©Press Association