Almost two thirds of voters support Gordon Brown's plan to raise taxes to fund the NHS and other public services - but only a third do so if those services are provided by the private sector, according to an opinion poll.

The poll, conducted by MORI for the GMB union in the wake of the chancellor's pre-budget announcement, reveals that 62 per cent of voters said they would support plans to fund public services by rises in taxation, whilst 31 per cent said they were against the idea.

The survey also reveals that 54 per cent of voters are opposed to rising taxes to fund the NHS and other public services, if the public services are provided by private sector companies.

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "The public knows that if you want good quality public services you have to pay for them - but they want value for money. And they also know that when the private sector get involved in public services they are siphoning money away from much needed funding for our hospitals, schools and local government services.

"There is no evidence that private companies give better value for money and the public will loose patience if the government fails to achieve much needed reforms in the public sector."