LONDON, July 19 (UPI) -- Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said many British taxpayers are unwilling to pony up more money to pay for public services.

Darling also told The Times of London Britain's slumping economy could take years to improve.

He said he informed Cabinet ministers money was running out for defense, security forces, hospitals, transport and schools.

"People will pay their fair share but you can't push that," he said. "My judgment at the moment is that there are a lot of people in this country who feel they work hard, they make their contribution and they're feeling squeezed."

He added that the Treasury may alter fiscal rules to permit accepting more loans to ease economic struggles.

"Every chancellor has to be very conscious of the fact that there's a balance to be struck between how much you can spend and how much people will say, 'OK, if you've got another pound to spend remember me as well'," Darling told the newspaper.