The government has defied expectations by failing to allocate additional money to the NHS over and above the extra funds announced in the budget.

Chancellor Gordon Brown announced boosts in funding for defence and education over the next three years as part of the government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

However, the Chancellor did not add to the billions he has already pledged to the health service.

In March, the Chancellor announced an additional and unprecedented �19bn would be invested in the NHS over the next five years.

That money will see health spending rise by more than a third from �50bn to �69bn by 2005.

Speaking to the MPs, Mr Brown said details of how the extra money would be spent would be announced next week.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn is due to unveil the government's national plan for the modernisation of the NHS.

He is also expected to announce changes to the care of elderly people, including making long-term care free for those in homes.

Modernisation

The government has stressed that extra funding for the NHS will be linked to modernisation.

It drafted in 100 health professionals to come up with proposals for change and priorities for investment, amid fears that the extra billions could disappear without trace.

Their efforts will culminate in the publication of a national plan which is likely to herald the most fundamental overhaul of the NHS since its formation in 1948.