Blethering Skite

Private health providers are bidding for a bigger share of the NHS in England - and health secretary Wes Streeting has said “Labour will be holding the door open” to more private involvement. There was a significant increase in NHS funding in the next budget - but it is an open question how much of that money will end up as profit for private businesses? 

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), which represents private hospitals and groups such as Bupa, has offered more than £1 billion of private sector capacity to NHS England. If accepted, that will signal a huge expansion of the role of the private sector. 

This is being sold as a smart way to get waiting lists down - but it is a long-term threat to the future of the NHS. This is just one example of creeping privatisation in England’s NHS - others include private firms taking over community services and a deal over weight loss jabs for the unemployed. Plans for ‘patient passports’ are also causing concern.

The UK government expanding the role of the private sector will have knock-on effects for Scotland. Here are five key points.