Lansley says Tories helped in NHS pullback

The Health Secretary dismissed Labour claims that a letter issued on Monday by the Deputy Prime Minister and a leading critic of the legislation betrayed a Government in “disarray”.

Responding to a question in the Commons over the controversial Health and Social Care Bill, he repeatedly insisted that the coalition was entirely united.

Mr Lansley conceded that the amendments, set to be accepted today as the reform package continues its stormy passage through the House of Lords, were “significant”.

That appeared to be at odds with statements by Downing Street on Monday, which had played down the impact of the changes backed by Mr Clegg.

But he insisted that they did not alter the fundamental nature of the reforms.

Nothing in the legislation as it existed would allow a United States-style “market free for all” in healthcare, he said, but “further reassurance” could be given to opponents.

Competition elements in the legislation remain the most controversial with Lib Dems.

Granted a chance to grill Mr Lansley over the letter to Lib Dem peers and MPs, Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said either the Government was in disarray or the letter had been carefully choreographed by the coalition to save Mr Clegg embarrassment.

Party activists are gearing up to take on the Lib Dem leadership over the shake-up at the party’s spring conference.

Both governing parties were “putting their political pride ahead of the best interests of the NHS”, said Mr Burnham.