News

08.11.17

Stevens: Brexit funding promises must be honoured

The NHS should receive the funding promised by the leave campaign during the European Union referendum last year, Simon Stevens has stated today.

Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, used his speech at the annual NHS Providers conference today to implore central government for the extra funding.

Although Stevens did not call for the exact £350m per week infamously advertised on the side of Vote Leave’s campaign bus, he did demand the government ensure promises made during the campaign were kept.

The chief executive said a failure to honour these vows would create more division and distrust between politicians and voters.

He added: “Trust in democratic politics will not be strengthened if anyone now tries to argue: 'You voted Brexit, partly for a better funded health service. But precisely because of Brexit, you now can't have one.'

“A modern NHS is itself part of the practical answer to the deep social concerns that gave rise to Brexit.

“At a time of national division, an NHS that brings us together. An institution that tops the list of what people say makes them proudest to be British. Ahead of the Army, the monarchy or the BBC. Unifying young and old, town and country, the struggling and the better off.”

In addition, health secretary Jeremy Hunt – speaking at the conference with Stevens – said the NHS should be the first port of call for any dividend which comes from Brexit.

Stevens’ major concern was a fear that chancellor Philip Hammond might use the chaos currently surrounding Britain’s exit from the EU as a reason not to increase NHS funding or give dedicated investment to key areas.

The problems are reinforced by Hunt’s initially well received claim that workers in the NHS would no longer be subject to the 1% public sector pay cap. While an increase in pay would be gratefully accepted by many staff, there are fears that it could place even more stress on a very tense system if more funding is not provided by government to cover costs.

The £350m figure has been widely contested since the referendum result, with many claiming the numbers to be a false indication of the benefits of leaving the EU.

Top image: Stefan Rousseau PA Wire

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an NHE columnist? If so, click here.

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

latest news

View all News

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental ... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >

editor's comment

26/06/2020Adapting and Innovating

Matt Roberts, National Health Executive Editorial Lead. NHE May/June 2020 Edition We’ve been through so much as a health sector and a society in recent months with coronavirus and nothing can take away from the loss and difficulties that we’ve faced but it vital we also don’t disregard the amazing efforts we’ve witnessed. Staff have gone above and beyond, whole hospitals and trusts have flexed virtually at will to meet demand and pressures and we’ve... read more >

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us throu more > more last word articles >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual... more >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side wi... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >

healthcare events

events calendar

back

September 2020

forward
mon tue wed thu fri sat sun
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11

featured articles

View all News