UK health spending ‘to grow less than in austerity era’, analysis reveals

The chancellor's extra billions for healthcare will equate only to a real-term rise of 1.2%

Health spending over the next two years will grow less than during the austerity era of the last decade, according to a new analysis of the autumn statement.

The chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, a former health secretary who previously campaigned for greater resources from the backbenches, announced last week that the NHS would receive an extra 3.3bn in each of the next two years. With severe pressures growing on the service, he said it would be one of his key priorities".