Labour leader Ed Miliband will go on the attack over the coalition's ill thought out NHS reforms today - as the prime minister and health secretary seek to defend those reforms.

Labour leader Ed Miliband will go on the attack over the coalition’s ill thought out NHS reforms today – as the prime minister and health secretary seek to defend those reforms. David Cameron will deliver a key note speech in which he will commit to “five guarantees” on the future of the health service, while Andrew Lansley will address parliament on the reforms.

At his monthly press conference this morning, the Leader of the Opposition will say:

“David Cameron is the first PM in history to set out five pledges to protect the NHS from his own policies, yet he has already broken two of them. The number of people waiting 18 weeks for treatment has gone up. He has not protected the health service budget.

“He has spent a year mismanaging the NHS. The consequence is chaos, confusion and damage to patient care.

“Hundreds of millions of pounds which should have been used for patient care are being wasted on handing out redundancy notices to staff from PCTs – staff who may now have to be rehired.

Yesterday, the Telegraph revealed Mr Cameron’s five guarantees, which were to keep waiting lists low; maintain spending; not to privatise the NHS; to keep care integrated; and to remain committed to the “national” part of the National Health Service.

Left Foot Forward will have reaction and analysis of the latest developments on the health reforms debate later today.

As you’re here, we have something to ask you. What we do here to deliver real news is more important than ever. But there’s a problem: we need readers like you to chip in to help us survive. We deliver progressive, independent media, that challenges the right’s hateful rhetoric. Together we can find the stories that get lost.

We’re not bankrolled by billionaire donors, but rely on readers chipping in whatever they can afford to protect our independence. What we do isn’t free, and we run on a shoestring. Can you help by chipping in as little as £1 a week to help us survive? Whatever you can donate, we’re so grateful - and we will ensure your money goes as far as possible to deliver hard-hitting news.