Reports in today's press allege that a leaked copy of Labour's plans for the NHS could include charges for certain services and a voucher system for carers of the elderly or disabled.

In a draft of the party's manifesto for the next general election, "add-ons" such as single rooms or the use of a telephone could also carry a fee.

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "This document has no status. Unison believes that the NHS needs to live up to its original promise - to provide a universal service for all based on clinical need, not on ability to pay.

"The national plan for the NHS agreed by all involved makes this clear and we will make sure that sticks. We have people on the national and regional policy forums and throughout the party and will fight any attempt to water down universality. We suspect the person who wrote this is already regretting it."