1/7 21 days before the start of the new financial year, and still no agreement on the NHS’s 21/22 budget. We've written to @MelJStride, asking him to raise 3 key questions with @RishiSunak when he gives evidence to @CommonsTreasury at 2.30pm tomorrow. See thread for details.
2/7 We are seeking assurances from @RishiSunak that he will honour his commitment to give NHS "whatever it needs" to meet extra COVID costs. Trust leaders fear they'll have to start planning cuts to services / letting staff go unless negotiations conclude this week.
3/7 We're also asking @CommonsTreasury to press @RishiSunak on decision to abandon previous affordability assumption of at least a 2.1% pay rise for NHS staff. Despite this being built into NHS Long Term Plan Implementation Framework & required £ built into NHS Funding Act 2020.
4/7 Following Sir Simon Stevens raising these concerns with @CommonsHealth yesterday, we have therefore suggested three questions for @CommonsTreasury : Q1. Will @RishiSunak honour his Budget 2020 commitment to “give the NHS whatever it needs” to cover COVID-19 costs in 2021/22?
5/7 Q2. How will @RishiSunak ensure negotiations on the NHS’s 2021/21 budget with @hmtreasury are concluded this week? This would then allow NHS leaders to plan their services for the next financial year, which starts in just 21 days time. This negotiation is taking far too long!
6/7 Q3. Why is @RishiSunak refusing to honour the 2.1% pay rise assumption that was agreed by the NHS and Government? This followed the NHS revenue settlement announced by Theresa May in June 2018 and enshrined in a formal act of parliament, the NHS Funding Act 2020.
7/7 This is the perfect opportunity for @RishiSunak to equip the NHS to do its job in 2021/22. We are asking him to make good on his promise to meet all COVID costs, confirm negotiations will be completed by this week and honour at least a 2.1% pay rise for deserving NHS staff.
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