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Wed 11 Nov 2002Unlike Charlie, Gordon has stayed true to prudenceLONDON BRIEFING/Chris JohnsGordon Brown is due to present his annual Pre-budget report to the House of Commons today, in which he outlines his economic forecasts and his projections of the public finances. As its name suggests, this is not the actual budget but we will be able to guess at the broad shape of forthcoming policy changes once we have heard Mr Brown speak.Like his finance ministry counterparts around the world, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer is faced with the questions that are always posed by lower than expected economic growth. Many commentators have actually exaggerated the difficulties faced by Mr Brown. While he faces a shortfall of taxation receipts, the deficit is not that big, nor is it much to worry about given the fiscal rules that he has set himself.