Balls says money raised from banking fines should go to the NHS

In a speech today at Labour’s East of England regional conference in Ipswich, Ed Balls has announced that £1bn raised from banks who are fined for manipulating the markers should go to the NHS.

He is calling on George Osborne to include this in his Autumn Statement, due to take place on the 3rd December.

This also comes after many health care professionals said due to funding cuts, “the NHS and our social care services are at breaking point.”

Balls explained his position, saying:

“Under David Cameron, it’s getting harder to see a GP, A&E is in crisis and waiting lists are going up again.

“£3 billion has been wasted on a top-down re-organisation while nurses and frontline staff have been lost. And cancer treatment targets have now been missed for three quarters in a row.

“So in next month’s Autumn Statement George Osborne should use £1 billion of the fines from the banks for an immediate boost to our health service.”