Blair stays defiant on privatisation.
Byline: JAMES HARDYTONY Blair has defied union bosses by refusing to back down over privatising public services.
The Prime Minister insists claims of creeping privatisation are "fatuous" ahead of today's showdown with union critics.
And he warns firms they would not be allowed to increase profits at the expense of former public sector workers.
Mr Blair will stress the value he places on those workers as he faces the TUC conference in Brighton later today.
But he is not expected to give ground over the principle of an increased role for private firms in areas such as the NHS.
In an interview today, Mr Blair says: "The notion that either the Government has gone anti-public or is privatising public services is fatuous.
"I believe strongly in the public service ethos; that is why I am trying to reform and deliver better public services, not privatise them."
Improvements in public sector provision through increased private involvement "certainly shouldn't be at the expense of the terms and conditions of employment of the staff", he tells The Guardian.
But Mr Blair is facing a rough ride from unions who have already warned that "warm words" will not be enough.
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| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
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| Date: | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Words: | 197 |
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