I believe fully in the NHS and its values, and I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to a tax-funded NHS, free at the point of use, wherever and whenever you need it.

Despite tight public finances, the Government has actively supported the NHS’s own plan for the future. That is why it is increasing NHS spending by at least £8 billion in real terms over the next five years. This will ensure that by the end of this Parliament, everyone will be able to access GP services at evenings and weekend.

Over the next three years, the Government will provide the NHS with an additional £2.8 billion resource funding. By the end of this year, the NHS will receive £335 million to manage winter pressures; a further £1.6 billion will be invested in 2018-19, and in 2019-20, £900 million will be provided to help address future issues. Furthermore, the Government is currently offering local councils an additional £2 billion to help them fund adult social care services in a time of great pressure.

At the 2017 Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced an additional programme of capital investment, further to the £425 million committed at the Spring Budget in March 2017. I am happy to say that this investment will be worth £3.5 billion, and will help NHS organisations deliver significant improvements to local services, improve performance, and significantly increase NHS efficiency.

Additionally, more money is being invested in mental health than ever before, with an estimated record £11.4 billion this year and investment continues to rise. Additional mental health funding has been invested since April 2017, rising to £1 billion by 2020/21 for mental health to support crisis care and perinatal services, and respond to the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health. For children and young people, £1.4 billion has been committed to transform mental health and eating disorder services over five years.

The NHS will earmark an extra £2.4 billion a year for GP services by 2020/21, a 14 per cent real terms increase. This investment includes a £500 million Sustainability and Transformation package to help GP practices add to the workforce and tackle workload.