The NHS is at risk if we leave EU, warns South West TUC

Unions in the South West have warned there will be less funding for the NHS if the UK votes to leave the EU.

Analysis from the South West TUC based on figures from the Institute of Fiscal Studies and the King’s Fund find the annual net reduction to government revenue in 2019/20 as a result of Brexit is likely to be equivalent to 25% of the NHS England budget.

South West TUC Regional Secretary Nigel Costley said: “We can be incredibly proud of our NHS, and the magnificent work of NHS staff. And that’s all NHS staff, regardless of where they are from. Where would our NHS be without the 50,000 dedicated health staff from the EU? If we leave the EU, it could unleash an NHS staffing crisis and the longest waiting lists we’ve ever known.

“How dare the hard right Tories and Ukip who run the Leave campaigns pose as NHS champions? Let's be honest, they love the NHS in the way that Dracula loves a blood bank.

“Boris Johnson says he doesn’t believe in a free NHS and people should pay for health services. Nigel Farage says the NHS should be replaced by private health insurance. And Ukip’s millionaire backer says that if it was up to him the NHS would be privatised.

“The Leave campaign are fibbers, fakes and phonies. As Dr Sarah Wollaston said when she quit the Leave campaign, their claim it would mean more money for the NHS ‘simply isn’t true’. “Funding for the NHS depends on Britain’s economy doing well. Leaving the EU will put the economy in trouble, and that will put the NHS in trouble.

“If we leave the EU, the public purse is likely to lose £30bn each year, which is enough money to fund the whole of NHS England for three months. “The truth is that being in the EU makes our NHS better. So if you believe in the NHS and want to safeguard it for our children and grandchildren, make sure you vote Remain.”