brexit health bonanza
NHS to get extra £384million a week — that’s more than on the Brexit battle bus
It is a major victory for Brexiteers like Boris Johnson, who made the pledge on the Vote Leave's tour ahead of the June 2016 referendum
THERESA May will today promise £384million extra a week for the NHS — more than the referendum pledge.
The windfall is £34million greater than the figure emblazoned on the Brexit battle bus.
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The PM will say almost half the £20billion, a 70th birthday gift for the health service, will come from savings once Britain leaves the EU.
Chancellor Philip Hammond will have to find an extra £11billion, the equivalent of 3p on income tax, to fulfil the commitment.
The five-year funding deal will see the NHS budget grow faster than the economy and make it the Government’s top spending priority. In return, doctors will draw up plans to ensure every penny is spent wisely.
It is a major victory for leading Brexiteers, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who want to see the money Britain pays the EU diverted to the NHS once we leave next March.
Boris Johnson greets crowd as he exits the Leave campaign bus
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He was a regular on the Vote Leave coach with its slogan: “We send the EU £350million a week. Let’s fund our NHS instead.”
Mrs May says the windfall will be worth £600million a week over five years once inflation is factored in.
She says it will come in part from the “Brexit dividend” — the savings Britain will reap after we quit the EU in March.
The PM will also hail the fact that the Tories have upped the NHS budget each year they have been in power.
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But No 10 admitted the country will be asked to “contribute a bit more” towards NHS funding. Mr Hammond will reveal the details in his autumn Budget. It is expected the balance will be paid for with a mixture of borrowing, savings and tax changes.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said last night: “We are backing the NHS to show the world what a cutting-edge 21st century healthcare system can look like.
“This long-term plan and historic funding boost is a fitting birthday present for our most loved institution. It recognises the superhuman efforts made by staff over the last few years to maintain services in the face of rapidly growing demand.”
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