Unison general secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe hits out at ministers' 'reckless' plans to build more hospitals using private finance, at the union's annual healthcare service group conference in Brighton. Delegates condemned the government's decision to stage the 1998 pay review body awards.

Conference also approved a campaign to highlight 'poverty pay levels' and support for branches in achieving a 10 per cent claim, 'including taking industrial action if voted for by the membership'.