No national money pit

More scan hubs, private clinics deal and smoother app | PM vows bold shake-up will be fair on taxpayers

-  LIZZY BUCHAN

KEIR Starmer said the NHS needs reform from top to bottom but warned it cannot become a national money pit.

The government is battling to get a grip on the NHS backlog, which stands at 6.4 million people waiting for 7.5 million treatments.

One of Labour's key commitments is to ensure 92% of patients are seen within 18 weeks by 2029.

Yesterday the PM vowed to end the misery for people stuck waiting for care, promising that 65% of patients would be seen within 18 weeks by March 2026.

That would reduce the backlog by more than 450,000. Currently, only 59% of patients meet the 18-week target, with three million people waiting longer.

Speaking at Epsom Hospital in Surrey, Mr Starmer said: "Working people can't be expected to subsidise the current levels of care with ever-rising taxes.

"We will, of course, protect the principles we all cherish... care free at the point of use, treatment according to need, key principles.

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