The government has spent £5.5bn less on health in England than it promised during the 2019 election campaign, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The campaign indicated that the budget would increase by 3.3% a year above inflation during this parliament. However, although money was added to cover the high inflation, spending has only increased by an average of 2.7% a year. The Department of Health and Social Care claims that its funding has reached record levels that have made a real difference in cutting waiting lists, despite the shortfall.
The IFS noted that England has not singular in this challenge given the high inflation rates worldwide. It did, however, stress that tough decisions on advancing funding in face of NHS pressures must be made, given extensive commitment to increase staffing and investment in the health service. Most of the £179.6bn budget for this year, which is less than expected, has been allocated to the NHS, but it also includes provisions for public health, social care, and training.
IFS research economist Max Warner said that over 40% of public-service spending was already directed toward health, and that to keep increasing the budget, other areas of government spending would have to be cut. Warner added that budgets for the next fiscal year will be the key focus for whichever party comes to power in the next election. NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, stated that the health service desperately requires additional investment, due to financial pressure and mounting demand.
Labour shadow health secretary Wes Streeting stated that the government had abandoned its promises regarding NHS reform and the allocation of funds, in contrast to the pre-election commitment to raise the budget by 3.3% annually in real terms during this parliament
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More