Public against NHS reforms, poll suggests

An ICM poll for the Guardian found 52 per cent believed the Health and Social Care Bill should be dropped as against 33 per cent who said the Government should press ahead with the legislation.

The findings suggest the row over the bill may be damaging the coalition with the support for the Conservatives dropping from 40 per cent to 36 per cent - four points down on last month - while the Liberal Democrats were down two points on 14 per cent.

Labour, in contrast, has now overtaken the Tories rising to 37 per cent - a two point increase on the previous month.

The government is likely to come under further pressure today when health secretary Andrew Lansley faces health questions in the House of Commons.

David Cameron yesterday insisted he was “committed” to pushing through the reforms - designed to hand greater financial powers to doctors - accusing opponents of peddling “myths” about their impact on the NHS.

The prime minister came under fire for excluding critics of the legislation from a No. 10 summit on the issue while Mr Lansley was jostled and barracked by protesters as he entered Downing Street.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said the meeting - to which a string of high-profile professional bodies were not invited - exposed a “bunker mentality” by ministers.

He renewed demands for the bill, currently enduring a stormy passage through Parliament, to be dropped altogether and fresh reforms drawn up with professionals.

ICM Research interviewed 1,013 adults aged 18 and over by telephone between 17 and 19 February.