£3.3billion to help NHS combat winter crisis

AN EXTRA £3.3billion a year will help the NHS combat the winter crises, ambulance cut response times and slash A&E waits, health bosses have said.

- Michael Knowles

Announcing the huge financial yesterday, Chancellor boost Jeremy Hunt said the health service will receive the money in each of the next two years to try to tackle massive backlogs.

And the Treasury said the cash injection will help improve access to family doctors "so that everyone who needs an appointment with their GP practice can get one within two weeks".

Ministers accepted higher inflation meant the NHS could not cut budgets and maintain its services.

But other Government departments will have to find £30billion in savings by 2028 and, Treasury documents show, ministers will start wielding the axe in 2025.

Departmental spending will fall by £8.7billion in 2025/26, £10billion in 2026/27 and £11billion in 2027/28. That means major cuts have been delayed until after the next General Election, which has to take place by January 2025.

Adequate

Until then, spending will be maintained as set out but Mr Hunt said the Government will invest an extra £2.3billion in schools over the next two years.

And he hinted it wants to increase defence spending.

The NHS is already set to receive £152billion in 2022/23, £157billion the following year and £162billion in 2024/25.

NHS England had forecast a £7billion shortfall - but Mr Hunt said health bosses agree the extra funding announced yesterday is adequate against a backdrop of soaring inflation.

He said he added £3.3billion a year to the health budget after "discussions with NHS England" adding: "Chief executive of the NHS Amanda Pritchard has said this should provide sufficient funding for the NHS to fulfil its key priorities." The Chancellor also confirmed the social care system will receive an extra £2.8billion in 2023/24 and £4.7billion in 2024/25 to free up hospital beds and increase the number of care packages.