Release health report or we will block reforms, say peers

Peers today threatened to block the Government's landmark NHS reforms until Andrew Lansley releases a secret report on their risks.

They warned that they will seek a vote tomorrow in the Lords if the Health Secretary refuses to hand over a strategic risk register on the changes.

Mr Lansley has been ordered by Information Commissioner Christopher Graham to release the document to the Evening Standard and Labour's former health spokesman John Healey.

He found that the Department of Health breached freedom of information laws by refusing to disclose it.

Labour's health spokeswoman in the Lords, Baroness Thornton, called for the report to be released tomorrow as peers debate the Health and Social Care Bill which will hand GPs sweeping new powers over the £60 billion NHS commissioning budget.

If the Government rejects the demand, she stressed she "may be asking what the implications for the future consideration of the Bill might be".

Baroness Williams, the Liberal Democrat peer who has led the revolt against the Tory-led NHS changes, said that releasing the register would "enrich our debate substantially".

The Government may be reluctant to publish the document as it lays out the risks to patients, finances and NHS organisations from the reshaping of the health service.

But shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "If the Government does not comply with the ruling of the commissioner, we will ask the House of Lords that it suspends further consideration of the Bill."