Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, defends NHS bill

The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, has insisted health professionals still support the changes to the NHS in England, despite unions declaring outright opposition to them.

The Royal Colleges of Nursing said it tried to work with the government but that amendments promised by ministers to address its concerns have not materialised and the bill now poses "a serious threat to the NHS".

Mr Lansley said the legislation was "essential in order to give nurses and doctors clinical leadership"