Mr Brown wants to make things easier for businesses

Gordon Brown will say he fully accepts the recommendations of Sir David Varney, who has been reviewing tax affairs of big corporations.

CBI head Richard Lambert has said high business taxes and the "aggressive" way HM Revenue & Customs pursued them, was driving multinationals out of the UK.

Mr Brown is expected to announce measures to reassure businesses.

It follows criticism by some in business and the City who complain the UK economy is losing competitiveness.

Companies relocating

Last month Mr Lambert warned that the "trickle" of companies relocating outside the UK could become a "flood", if nothing was done.

Mr Brown is expected to announce a system of advance rulings, aimed at giving businesses greater certainty about their tax position before they go ahead with major investments.

Other recommendations from Sir David are thought to include a "risk-based approach" to inquiries.

It is intended to reassure companies that only important issues are examined and will be dealt with more quickly.

Mr Brown will make the announcement at the first meeting of his international business advisory council at Downing Street.

It includes leading figures from economics and business such as former US Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, former World Bank chief James Wolfensohn and GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Jean-Pierre Garnier.