The PM refused to reveal in detail how package would be funded beyond explaining that some money would come from the cash we currently send to the EU once we leave
THERESA MAY was last night accused of breaking the Tory manifesto after signalling that taxes will rise to fund a £20billion-a-year bonanza for the NHS.
“Confirming plans first revealed by The Sun last week, the PM said the health service will get an extra 3.4 per cent a year – or £394 million a week - to mark its 70th birthday.
She declared a new war on NHS waste – urging hospitals to do all they can to save cash. But she warned the country would have to “contribute a bit more” to help over-stretched hospitals across the UK.”
The Government has yet to confirm a plan for funding £11billion of the money.
But Tory insiders said the Government was poised to borrow more and freeze income tax thresholds at £12,500 and £50,000 after 2020-2021. This would catch hundreds of thousands more working Brits in higher tax bands as salaries rise – and generate nearly £4.5 billion for the Treasury in just two years.
But with borrowing accounting for around £8 billion that would still leave a black hole of around £11 billion given the need to pour extra funds Into Scotland.
One Government source said: “It still hasn’t been decided how we’re going to fund this yet but freezing the thresholds could definitely happen.”
The Conservatives 2017 Manifesto vowed to reduce the tax burden for working families.
But Carl Emmerson of the Institute of Fiscal Studies told The Sun: “If you want to raise tax you’re probably going to put it up for working families.”
One furious senior Tory added: “Conservatives don’t put up tax. The PM is essentially saying the economic situation doesn’t matter anymore.”
In comments released ahead of a speech by the PM in central London today, Mrs May insisted she would be calling on NHS Trusts to redouble efforts to cut waste – and re-invest those savings.
But the package marks a huge victory for Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is reported to have threatened to quit unless the Chancellor bowed to his demands. Mrs May will today say the NHS is top priority for the Government given its unique place in society.
Paying tribute to the heroic efforts of the NHS across the country she will say: “From life-saving treatment to managing a life-changing condition – whoever we are, whatever our means, we know the NHS is there for us when we need it.”
She will add: “I will never forget visiting the Royal Manchester Children’s hospital in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack. There, in the face of the very worst that humanity can do, I witnessed first-hand the very best.”
But Mrs May will urge NHS Trusts to do their bit in cutting waste- and reinvesting the savings. She will insist: “This must be a plan that ensures every penny is well spent. It must be a plan that tackles waste reduces bureaucracy and eliminates unacceptable variation.”
The Taxpayers Alliance said the Government risked throwing good money after bad. John O’Connell, TPA chief, said: “The tax burden is about to hit a near 50 year high so a lot more should be done to bring down costs rather than ask taxpayers to dig deeper still. Just last year the Conservatives manifesto pledged to reduce taxes on working families. Now it appears they are breaking that pledge.”
Labour’s Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said the promise fell “far short” of the 4 per cent a year extra that experts claim the NHS needs. But NHS England chief Simon Stevens said: “As the NHS turns 70, we can now face the next five years with renewed certainty. This multi-year settlement provides the funding we need to shape a long-term plan for key improvements in cancer, mental health and other critical services.”
Janet Davies, chief exec of the Royal College of Nursing, “congratulated” Theresa May and Jeremy Hunt. She said: “The extra money should enable Trusts to invest more in staff and therefore reverse some of the cuts in patient care nurses are reporting to us.”
THERESA May last night said she would not be in No.10 without the help the NHS has given her in battling diabetes.
The PM said she will “never forget the support of my GP and consultants, but also the clinical nurses specialists attached to my local hospital”.
She added: “Their advice was crucial, enabling me to adjust to the new treatment regime, to manage my condition and minimise the impact it has on my life.”
The PM was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2012.
