The chancellor has today warned that there will be no "blank cheques" in next month's budget.

Brown said that health is the government's number one priority and warned other departments, including the Home Office, that they may lose out as a result. "My role as chancellor is to ensure not just that our public services are properly funded, but that funds are raised in a fair and efficient way which ensures value for money," he said.

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "Gordon Brown's speech today will go a long way to restoring public confidence in the NHS. He has examined and analysed other systems of paying for healthcare throughout the world and concluded that a publicly funded NHS is the best for Britain.

"Unison has long argued that the NHS is the best health insurance for all. The Tories and private health insurers have been all too quick to prey on peoples' fears and scaremonger about NHS treatment. They share a common agenda, to sell health insurance and clear the way for private companies to make profits and pick and choose who will get treatment. As Gordon Brown put it, charges hit the most vulnerable and the poor, they mean the sick paying for being sick.

"NHS hospitals treat 7 million patients a year and no one is barred from getting the treatment they need. The private sector treat roughly 200,000 - but if you are over 65 premiums rocket. How many elderly people could afford a private hip replacement costing anywhere between £6,000 - £10,000 or find £3,500 for a cataract operation? People of any age suffering from a chronic condition or who develop mental health problems are likely to be excluded. If you have a low income or are unemployed private insurance is not an option and accident and emergency services are not covered.

"Gordon Brown's vision of a world class NHS is one that Unison members share and given the resources will get on with the job of delivering that goal."