Barclay hints at more NHS cash to fight inflation

STEVE Barclay yesterday suggested the National Health Service will be given billions of pounds to help offset the effects of inflation in today's Autumn Statement.

- Hanna Geissler

And the Health Secretary told NHS workers he is working hard to get them the cash.

Mr Barclay's hint there would me more money came as he hit out at a newspaper report which claimed he had told Chancellor Jeremy Hunt the NHS could cope without extra funds.

Branding the article "completely incorrect" he told delegates at the NHS Providers annual conference in Liverpool that they would "see tomorrow whether it is true and we don't get a penny".

Mr Barclay added: "I can assure you the Treasury wouldn't allocate any money to the Department if the department said it didn't need it, given the fiscal situation we face.

"Of course we face significant financial pressures and inflation is there."

The NHS is currently set to receive £152billion in 2022/23, £157 billion the following year and £162billion in 2024/25.

However, NHS England has warned it is already facing a £ 7 billion hole in its finances next year because of the impact of inflation and pay rises.

Mr Barclay, who visited also the Royal Liverpool HospUniversity ital yesterday, said he and NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard had been "having a lot of discussion with the Chancellor".

He insisted his experiences as Chief of Staff at No 10 and a Treasury minister left him well-equipped to represent the health and care sector in funding negotiations.

And he added: "I can absolutely confirm that we DO need support to meet those inflationary pressures."