Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has announced that the Liberal Democrats will today table a motion at their annual conference which will commit the Party to providing an extra £1bn of real term funding for the NHS in the years 2016/17 and 2017/18 in addition to the existing ‘ring fenced’ commitment.

Danny also announced that extra funding for the NHS will be the Liberal Democrat priority in the coalition negotiations running up to this year’s Autumn Statement scheduled for 3rd December.

Danny said:

“Our National Health Service is the jewel in our country’s crown. A comprehensive health service paid for by the taxpayer and delivered free at the point of need was a Liberal idea and is a central part of our vision of a stronger economy and a fairer society. We will raise this extra money from asking the better off to contribute a little more in tax. This Liberal Democrat commitment is fully and fairly funded. It is in stark contrast to the Conservatives who have explicitly stated they will target working people on lower incomes to carry the heaviest burden. And any Labour commitment on spending is fatally undermined by their deficit amnesia.

“In Government, we have championed protecting the NHS budget even during these most difficult of financial times. However, the NHS faces continued challenges. We are all living longer and there’s a dramatic increase in the numbers living with long term conditions – often a mix of both physical and mental health problems. The challenge we face in sustaining the NHS is immense, but it is one that the Liberal Democrats are committed to meeting. A large part of this £1 Billion will fund the transformation in service delivery that the NHS needs for it to continue to deliver the best care to patients.

“Our funding commitment is for the next Parliament, but as responsible stewards of the NHS we have a duty to ensure that any short term pressures for 2015/16 within the health service are dealt with properly at the autumn statement.”