Now unions attack PM over disability checks

LEADERS of the big unions today rounded on Tony Blair, to worsen the mauling he received yesterday at the hands of Labour MPs.

John Edmonds of the GMB and Bill Morris of the Transport and General Workers' Union called on Mr Blair to balance economic decisions against more care for the sick and disabled. Mr Edmonds specifically warned him he must water down his plan to bring in medical tests every three years for people on incapacity benefits.

The warnings signal trouble for the Government at Labour's Conference this autumn. The unions, already infuriated by plans to give the private sector a bigger role in schools and

hospitals, are threatening to table a series of emergency motions to defend disability benefits at the conference.

Mr Blair faces a potentially dangerous alliance between the unions and many of his own MPs who, at question time yesterday, gave him his most hostile reception yet. Mr Blair was repeatedly forced on to the defensive over benefits, "fat cat" payments to Railtrack chiefs and a range of other issues.

Mr Edmonds said: "Tony Blair must also be seen to represent basic values of dignity and compassion."

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