The NHS isn't up for sale, Health Secretary Alan Milburn insisted today.

The minister and Darlington MP dismissed growing union fury about the Government's plans to inject private cash into the health service.

But Mr Milburn, who said the NHS would not be hived off to private companies, said no-one would have a veto over Prime Minister Tony Blair's plans.

Public sector union Unison has threatened to withdraw its funding from the Labour Party over the proposals.

Mr Milburn said: "The core NHS principles are not up for sale. Care will still be based on clinical need, not the ability to pay, and services will continue to be free at the point of use."

Mr Blair's plans also include paying private hospitals to conduct minor operations, such as cataract and gall bladder removals.

The private sector may also run new stand-alone NHS surgery centres.

Private money could also be spread from hospital building to upgrading GPs' surgeries and the private sector could run NHS IT systems.

Shadow health secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said: "It is clear that Labour is now understanding the enormity of what they promised during the election - not good public services, not better public services, but world class public services."