Is Labour considering increasing NHS funding?

The Independent today reports that Labour leadership is considering committing to a pledge to increase NHS funding in the run up to the next general election. No decision has yet been made if this guarantee will make it onto the pages of the party manifesto or, if it does, how such a policy would be funded.

A recent poll in marginal seats showed that only 29% of people thought Labour was the “more trusted” party to run the NHS.Keen to be seen as a party best placed to sort out the health service, sources close to the Labour Shadow Cabinet have claimed: “the NHS has to be central to Labour’s offer at the next election. What we are working through is exactly how we do that”. It’s said that both shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham and Jon Cruddas, who’s spearheading Labour’s policy review, support bold policies that will protect and improve the NHS.

But, what this means is still very much the subject of speculation. Ed Miliband and Ed Balls are reviewing if it would even be plausible for Labour to increase investment in the health service.

Because although they’re committed to protecting the NHS, the party are also eager to convince the electorate that they’re fiscally responsible and that they’re not rushing into any spending decisions. A Labour spokesperson said: “we will set out our plans in more detail closer to the election, but on the NHS Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham have been clear that we need to find new ways to improve and protect services”.

Labour’s National Policy Forum meets in Milton Keynes next month – we should get a clearer idea of Labour’s spending plans for the NHS by then.