Boris’s ‘election boost’ for NHS
£1.8billion cash injection to help ailing hospitals as he puts Tories on war footing
SCOTLAND’S NHS is set to receive a £180million funding boost as Boris Johnson puts the Conservatives on an election war footing.
The new Prime Minister unveiled a oneoff cash injection of £1.8billion for the NHS south of the Border.
Downing Street confirmed it would hand an extra £180million to the Scottish Government as a direct consequence of the spending plans – and SNP ministers pledged they would invest the extra cash in health and social care.
The cash injection could be used for anything from investing in more doctors and nurses to tackling the repairs backlog in hospitals and renewed efforts to cut waiting times.
Mr Johnson confirmed the £1.8billion of funding for the NHS south of the Border in what is widely seen as another sign that a general election may be on the way later this year.
Much of the money is being targeted at new wards and equipment in forgotten Leavevoting areas of England, while some will be spent in target seats.
Tory chairman James Cleverly said yesterday that Mr Johnson had no plans to ‘initiate’ a general election – but Number 10 is prepared for the possibility that Labour could force one to avoid a No Deal Brexit.
One source described Downing Street as being in ‘full campaign mode’ in anticipation of MPs forcing an election later this year.
Another said Number 10’s focus through August will be on Mr Johnson’s core priorities: the NHS, crime and education: ‘We want to make sure people feel it at the front line. Boris is following through with his promises.’
The Scottish Government said it has committed to passing on any funding provided as a consequence of additional spending on England’s NHS to health and social care.
Mr Johnson will announce the new cash this morning at a hospital in Lincolnshire.
He said: ‘With our doctors and nurses working tirelessly day in day out, this treasured institution truly showcases the very best of Britain.
‘That’s why I made it my task to make sure frontline services have the funding they need, to make a real difference to the lives of NHS staff and, above all, of patients.
‘Today I’m delivering on this promise with a £1.8billion cash injection – meaning more beds, new wards, and extra life-saving equipment to ensure patients continue to receive worldclass care.’
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ‘While any additional funding is welcome, recent UK Government decisions have short-changed our health service, with Scotland losing out on more than £100million that it should have received. However, the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the NHS remains a public service and has acted to protect it with record high investment.’
It will be up to the Scottish Government to decide how the extra cash is spent north of the Border.
Westminster Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘I love the NHS – and so do the millions of taxpayers and their families cared for by our NHS every month. We owe it to them to make sure they can get the best treatment in the best hospitals.’
Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative finance spokesman, said: ‘This is another welcome £180million Union boost and the SNP must commit to spending it on Scotland’s struggling NHS. Once again this shows that the SNP cries of austerity are nonsense – the Scottish budget is increasing.’
‘This shows SNP cries of austerity are nonsense’