British prime minister says Obama looking for inspiration on health policy during UK visit

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama will look for inspiration on health and education policy during a visit to London, Britain's prime minister said Monday.

Gordon Brown told reporters he will meet the Democratic senator for talks in the coming weeks, but did not confirm the precise date of their scheduled meeting.

He said they will discuss ways of tackling the rising costs of oil and food and hinted that, if elected, Obama could become an ally on aid to the developing world.

"I think we're all dealing with the same global challenges and global problems," Brown told reporters. "I think we will discuss what we can do about oil prices and food."

Holding a monthly news conference in London, Brown said the U.S. Democratic Party has closely examined the policies of Britain's Labour Party government since it took office in 1997 as a possible template for a future administration.

"I will be able to show him what has happened in Britain to the health service, to education, to employment over these last 10 years," Brown said.

Brown trumpets vast increases in funding to Britain's health service, which is paid for by taxes and free for all. He also counts a low unemployment rate of 5.3 percent among his successes.

Obama is likely to hold talks with Brown at his official Downing Street residence.

Obama's Republican rival, U.S. Sen. John McCain, paid a visit to Downing Street in March, holding 45 minutes of talks with Brown on Iraq, Afghanistan and climate change issues.