Premier’s £20bn to NHS vow
THE NHS will get an extra £20billion a year by 2024, partly paid for by a “Brexit dividend”.
Prime Minister Theresa May is due to announce the five-year settlement to mark the 70th anniversary of the health service.
She will say money that no longer needs to be paid to the EU after Brexit will help fund the increase by 2023-24.
The country will also be asked to contribute more for the NHS.
As part of the initiative the health service will draw up a long-term plan led by doctors setting out how the resources should be used, the Government said.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt added: “This longterm plan and historic funding boost is a fitting birthday present for our most loved institution.
“Like no other organisation could ever hope to be, the NHS is there for every family at the best and worst of times.
“It recognises the superhuman efforts made by staff to maintain services in the face of rapidly growing demand.”
The Government said that by 2023-24 the health service budget will increase compared to today by more than £20bn a year in real terms, which amounts to approximately £600million a week.