Tory’s call to spend Brexit cash on health

Jacob Rees-Mogg has called on ministers to spend the Brexit dividend on the health service by warning it was not realistic to expect current levels of funding to be maintained.

The influential Tory backbencher said there had been a “significantly lower realterms increase in health spending” since the Tories came into power compared to the last time the party was in government.

The prominent Eurosceptic also said he was “willing to go along with” Theresa May’s plans on Brexit, as well as dismissing questions over speculation he may be a future party leader.

In an interview on ITV’s Peston On Sunday, Mr ReesMogg said it was “not the time to start spending money like there’s no tomorrow”, ahead of the Chancellor’s spring statement tomorrow.

“Having said that, there are some pressures in the public sector, particularly in health,” he said.

“I would like to see the dividend of leaving the European Union devoted to the health service.

“I think people felt that was promised during the referendum campaign.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg.