TONY Blair said today that no one would stand in his way in his passion to modernise schools, hospitals and transport.

Addressing public sector workers in London, the Prime Minister said despite the battle against terrorism he had not forgotten his mission to change and reform public services.

He admitted that the consequences of the US terror attack on September 11 would change international relations and politics for a generation.

''But none of this should cause us to lose our focus on the more normal areas of public policy that will, in the end, determine our strength and success as a nation as much as any international crisis,'' said Mr Blair.

Mission

He told public sector workers his mission was not only to invest in such things as the police, NHS, education and transport, but to improve them. And he said he would allow no vested interests to stand in the way of change.

''This will be the toughest challenge of this parliament, with major bills on school reform, the NHS, criminal justice and asylum and the railways.

''I accept that the public and many of those who work in public services are sceptical about it. They wonder can it really be done? My answer is: In time and with reform, it can,'' added the Prime Minister.

He said that excellent staff in public services were working flat out in a system shrieking out for fundamental change - nurses struggling with bed blocking, police officers struggling with street crime caused by truancy, schools needing more classroom assistance.

He said that changing the services could not be done overnight but he promised within four years:

  • to move to 100 per cent booking of out-patient appointments in hospitals
  • to double the number of cancer and heart specialists by 2005
  • to cut car crime by 30 per cent and burglary by 25 per cent and
  • to ensure that three-quarters of 14-year-olds are up to basic standards in English and maths.

''None of this can happen without the help and commitment of public servants. I know we're putting you under great pressure and I know, too, that the more we talk about public services the more the public expects of them.

''Without hesitation, I pay tribute to the superb work you do. But also without hesitation we both know the systems have to change. The investment and reform must go together.''