Why NHS England is being axed and what it will save?

Sir Keir Starmer said an "arm's-length" body should not make decisions about the £150bn-plus annual NHS England budget as he promised the move to scrap the organisation would allow the government to deliver better care.

- JABED AHMED ALICJA HAGOPIAN

But how exactly does NHS England spend taxpayers’ money, and how much has the government claimed it would save?

What is NHS England and why is it being scrapped?

NHS England is a quango that oversees the budget, planning, delivery and day-to-day operation of the health service in England. It employs more than 15,000 staff and was set up in 2013 by then-Conservative health secretary Andrew Lansley to give the NHS greater autonomy. It is funded by taxpayers and is not controlled directly by central government.

Sir Keir said the move would free up cash for doctors, nurses and frontline services, and cut red tape to help speed up improvements in the health service amid frustrations about the pace of change. He added that the cuts, under which the workforce will be more than halved, will “refocus” the NHS on cutting waiting times across the board.

Where does the money for NHS England come from?