Labour's NHS job cuts plan falls into 'chaos' amid row over costs

Labour's reorganisation of the NHS has fallen into "chaos" as a huge programme of job cuts has been halted over a row about the £1bn bill.

- Denis Campbell Anna Bawden

The NHS's 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) in England were due to make up to 12,500 of their 25,000 staff redundant by the end of the year as a result of health service cost-cutting.

But growing numbers of ICBs have paused the plans because they cannot afford to cover the costs involved, which are as high as £42m each.

"The redundancy bill will be eye-watering and well beyond the means of ICBs, even before their budgets are slashed by up to half. The government will have to pick up the tab," said Jon Restell, the chief executive of Managers in Partnership, which represents many ICB staff.

"Our members are increasingly distressed and desperate for answers. ICBs are keeping staff informed as best they can but there isn't much they can say amidst the chaos."

NHS England is in talks with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) over a plea from ICB leaders for an emergency cash injection from the Treasury to cover severance payments. Planned job cuts have been postponed until, it is hoped, the discussions end the uncertainty.