A new survey shows that the public are opposed to government plans to involve the private sector in the delivery of public services.

The MORI poll for the Times suggests that nearly half the public believe that health and education services should be provided entirely by the public sector, while two-thirds think the services should be completely or mostly provided by the state.

News of the poll will boost unions as they campaign against the government's plans.

Tony Blair, who will address the Trades Union Congress later this month, faces pressure from teachers' unions who are hostile to plans that will see the private sector helping to turn around failing schools. Health unions have also expressed concern over the possible transfer of staff to private companies.

While there was greater acceptance of privatised utilities, 30 per cent feel that public utilities should be provided entirely by the public sector. Forty per cent of those surveyed felt that the railways should also be in the public sector.

Amongst Labour supporters, 70 per cent believe that education services should be mostly or entirely provided by the public sector and 69 per cent feel the same about health.

The education secretary, Estelle Morris, told the Times: "If using the private sector to help deliver a public service means that we can solve some really deep-rooted problems, I think we should do it."

Her comments indicate the government's determination to press ahead with its reform plans, despite opposition from unions and party activists, in the belief that they are the best way to bring about improved standards of services.

The poll also shows that half of Conservative supporters believe health and education should be entirely or mostly provided by the public sector, suggesting that Kenneth Clarke is more in tune with party sympathisers than Iain Duncan Smith.

At the weekend, Duncan Smith endorsed an "aspiration" to cut the share of public spending to 35 per cent of GDP. The Clarke camp has said 40 per cent of GDP is a more "reasonable" level of spending.