David Cameron and Nick Clegg thank coalition Cabinet after 'intense' first 12 weeks

David Cameron and Nick Clegg thanked Cabinet ministers today for their commitment to the coalition during an "intense and at times tough" first 12 weeks.

In a letter to colleagues, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister said that as departments made "vital negotiations" with the Treasury, every spending decision should ensure more power was handed to local people.

And they emphasised that the new administration "unlike previous governments, would govern for the long term".

The pair wrote: "Whatever the options on the table, whatever the decision to be made, the same questions must be asked: will it put more power in people's hands? And will it equip Britain for long-term success?"

The letter was sent as the Prime Minister prepared to travel to Birmingham to sell the Government's ideas to the public in a question and answer session. Mr Cameron looks set to continue his "Cameron Direct" Q&A events, which were a regular feature of the general election campaign.

Departments face average cuts of 25% when the Government's public spending review is completed in October. But health and international aid spending will be ring fenced, while defence and education will face lower cuts.

In the letter, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said the most urgent issue facing the UK was "deficit reduction and continuing to ensure economic recovery".

There would be "two major shifts" in political life as this was delivered, they said.

The first was a "radical redistribution of power from government to communities and people, to reverse decades of over-centralisation".

They said: "The importance of this approach cannot be overstated. It underpins our attitude to public service reform. It animates our plans for genuine localism.

"It explains our focus on government transparency. If we are true to this purpose then the people of this country will feel a new sense of power and responsibility in their daily lives."

They went on: "The second fundamental change is that this Government, unlike previous governments, will govern for the long term.

"That's why we are prepared to take the difficult decisions necessary to equip Britain for long-term success. This approach not only underpins our commitment to safeguarding our environment for future generations and to restoring transparency and accountability to our politics, it must also underpin everything we do in the spending review."

The letter ended: "Finally we want to thank you for your hard work and commitment to this coalition. It's been an intense and at times tough 12 weeks - we hope you get a good summer break."