Government lies on NHS funding mean cuts to services – Farron

A group of MPs says the government is incorrect to keep claiming it is allocating an extra £10bn to the NHS in England over the next five years.

The Health Committee has written to the chancellor to say using the figure gives the “false impression that the NHS is awash with cash”.

The group said the figure was closer to £4.5bn and called for more NHS funding in November’s Autumn Statement. [BBC]

Here’s what Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has to say about it:

When even leading Conservative MPs accuse the government of lying to the public about NHS funding, it is clear that the future of our local NHS is in crisis.

Unless the government provides the funding our local NHS desperately needs, the services people rely on will be slashed. By 2021 our NHS in South Cumbria and Lancashire faces a shortfall of £805 million. The government must come clean about what its secret plans for NHS services in our area will mean.

“The Lib Dems have long called for better integration of health and social care, with proper funding to create a long-term, sustainable solution. This letter shows that it is needed now more than ever.

Health funding letter