Starmer: Labour will spend more than the Tories on the NHS

Starmer: Labour will spend more than the Tories on the NHS

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE May 22, 2023 View in browser Starmer: Labour will spend more than the Tories on the NHS Keir Starmer gave a speech about the third of his five missions, "building an NHS fit for the future". As Tom Hamilton commented, it is damning of the Conservative record that Starmer's pledge to meet existing NHS targets is regarded by some as "over-ambitious". For the first time, Starmer promised that he will increase the NHS budget and outbid the Tories: "Money is part of the answer, and the NHS is always better funded under Labour," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "We'll set out in terms as we get to the election what that looks like." Until then, though, what the speech offered was mostly platitudes: any NHS policy that majors on "prevention", worthy though that is, is mostly irrelevant to the real needs, I am afraid.   Quiz question Who was chancellor of the exchequer immediately before Kwasi Kwarteng? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Pressure on Braverman to resign over speeding ticket row  A top mandarin said home secretary's actions showed 'real lapse of judgement' Ferrier loses appeal over Commons ban It brings a by-election in her Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency a step closer Billionaire gives Tories their largest donation in 20 years Mohamed Mansour says he wants to help Rishi Sunak get 'full five-year term' Articles driving the biggest conversations Rachel Reeves deletes tweet in row over business flight to New York Articles available exclusively to subscribers Is Starmer's plan for the NHS the real deal – or smoke and mirrors? What else do you need to know today? There will be votes in the Commons this evening on Lords amendments to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill  Suella Braverman repeated several times in the Commons that she did not "seek to avoid the sanction" for her speeding offence (see above). I think the case for sacking her is borderline, but that the prime minister must be tempted to do so before she resigns on a question of policy on immigration, which would be the platform for a future leadership bid  Chris Venables, deputy director of the Green Alliance think tank, disagrees with me that Keir Starmer should ditch the plan to borrow an extra £28bn a year for Labour's Green Prosperity Plan Thanks to Adam Forrest and Archie Mitchell, without whom this newsletter would not be possible Rentoul's reading list Hannah Ritchie is excellent on the likely temporary breach of the 1.5C global warming target David Gauke has some good advice for Alex Chalk, his latest successor as justice secretary Jo Lo Dico would double the prime minister's pay (Independent Premium) I wrote last week for Independent Premium about how Labour ought to be preparing for a minority government in a hung parliament I wrote at the weekend about Keir Starmer's U-turns making it look as if he doesn't believe in anything £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW Inside the bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for tomorrow After chairing the cabinet's weekly meeting, Rishi Sunak will take part in a question-and-answer session at the London defence conference at 11am. He will later hold meetings about the cost of living – with food manufacturers on price levels and with the Competition and Markets Authority on road fuel and groceries. The Commons will hear questions on energy and net zero from 11.30am. Labour will use an opposition day debate to force votes, including on the publication of data revealing the condition of crumbling school buildings. The Treasury Committee will question Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, about interest rates at 10.15am.  Quotation of the Weekend "That baby on the bath mat, who so decisively put me off the idea of teen motherhood, grew up to be the most disgraced prime minister under his ludicrously changed name of Boris: he looks much the same." Polly Toynbee, extract from her memoir Quiz answer: Nadhim Zahawi We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas Join now Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas Join now The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating FIND OUT MORE If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. 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