Give charities NHS role - Milburn

Wheelchair provision could be rolled out to charities, says Milburn

Charities should deliver more services currently run by the NHS if Labour wins the next election, says ex-cabinet minister Alan Milburn.

The former health secretary is still close to Prime Minister Tony Blair and argues Labour's next election manifesto needs to be radical.

Mr Milburn will explain his latest proposals in a speech on Thursday.

It echoes some previous Tory ideas and is likely to face a backlash from Labour traditionalists.

Manifesto tussles

BBC chief political correspondent Mark Mardell says the speech will be seen as part of a high level debate in the Labour Party about the direction of its next election manifesto.

The "consolidators" are wary of change for change's sake while others want a radical edge to plans for a Labour third term in office.

Chancellor Gordon Brown this week tried to quell reports he was pushing for a "safety first" approach.

Milburn wants a radical edge if Labour wins a third term

In an article in the Guardian newspaper, Mr Brown said "a new wave of social and economic modernisation and reform is needed".

Mr Milburn will say there should be a far greater role for charities and the voluntary sector in delivering what are currently mainstream public services.

One example he will suggest is the Red Cross possibly playing a bigger part in providing the community equipment service, which help disabled people with things like wheelchairs and specialist mattresses.

Some Labour traditionalists are likely to shun the idea.

They view promises of further reform as code for breaking up and undermining national state provision.

The mental health charity Rethink, which is run by people living with severe mental illness and their carers, welcomed Mr Milburn's comments.

Cliff Prior, the chief executive, said: "People tell us they prefer to use the kind of services we provide, which are often better able to respond to their real needs.

"That's why voluntary organisations should have a wider role in the future."