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Tories Accused of "Sleight of Hand" on Cancer Drugs Funding

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Conservative party has pledged to pay for new cancer drugs without cutting health budgets, but this promise has been met with skepticism by critics. Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, claimed that a Tory government would use savings created by reversing the planned rise in National Insurance payments to fund the drugs. However, Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, has described the plan as "simply not credible." A key point of contention is the source of the funding: while the Conservatives claim the money will come from savings created by reversing the National Insurance increase, critics argue that this money does not currently exist within the NHS budget.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Conservative party has pledged to fund new cancer drugs without cutting NHS budgets.
  • Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, claims the money will come from savings created by reversing the planned rise in National Insurance payments.
  • Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, has described the plan as "simply not credible."
  • Critics argue that the money does not currently exist within the NHS budget.
  • The King's Fund think tank has accused the Tories of a "sleight of hand" on the issue.
  • Prof John Appleby, chief economist at the King's Fund, has stated that the money would have to come from existing budgets.
  • Mr. Lansley has stated that the NHS budget will be protected and increased in real terms each year.
  • Releasing new drugs in the financial year would involve cuts, as the NI changes are not due until 2011.

Statistics:

  • The NHS would benefit by an estimated [pounds sterling]200 million a year if the increase in National Insurance payments was cancelled.
  • The planned rise in National Insurance payments would have cost the NHS around [pounds sterling]200 million plus in 2011.
  • The National Insurance increase was scheduled to pay for various healthcare services and programs.

Sources:

  • The conservatives have been accused of performing a "sleight of hand" (Source: The Times, No Date)
  • Andrew Lansley, Shadow Health Secretary, quoted in The Telegraph (No Date)
  • Andy Burnham, Health Secretary, quoted in BBC News (No Date)
  • Prof John Appleby, Chief Economist at the King's Fund, quoted in The Today Programme (No Date)
  • Statement from the King's Fund (No Date)
  • No specific dates were mentioned in any source material.

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