David Cameron criticises Gordon Brown's spending plans

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is preparing to outline a "policy blueprint" in a statement to MPs. The Government will also publish a document setting out its priorities for the years ahead, including a draft legislative programme for this year's Queen's Speech. Mr Brown's spokesman said: "What we do want to be able to do is entrench some of the progress we have made in the NHS and other public services." Among the most radical moves being put forward by the Prime Minister will be giving patients cash to go private if NHS Trusts cannot meet the 18-week target between GP referral and treatment. Cancer sufferers would be able to take their funding elsewhere if they are not given a specialist appointment within two weeks. Similar "entitlements" are being considered for accessing an NHS dentist, late opening hours for GPs at weekends, and getting palliative care at home. The amount of money would be equivalent to the cost of the treatment on the NHS, and Trusts that fail to meet their obligations could also face other financial penalties. The changes are likely to be portrayed as a climbdown by Mr Brown, who battled against less drastic Blairite efforts to involve the private sector in public services. Other pledges are expected to include freeing up local authorities on housing allocation so priority can be given to people with ties to the community. The BNP exploited anger over the perception that immigrants are pushed to the top of housing lists during recent local and euro elections. There will also be a "significant" expansion of funding for social housing, and the scrapping of "top-down" targets across services, according to Government sources.

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ITN | June 29, 2009

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