Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said:

“Before he’s even delivered it, George Osborne’s Autumn Statement is unravelling.

“He has not found an extra £2 billion for the NHS, as he claims, but instead is proposing to recycle funds already in the Department of Health budget. This is crisis cash because of the fragile financial state of the NHS after the Government’s £3 billion reorganisation.

“The Chancellor’s spin is of no help at all to an NHS in real crisis now. Osborne is offering nothing to ease the pressure this winter and only false promises for the future. This will only reinforce the view that Cameron and Osborne simply can’t be trusted with the NHS.

“Labour’s plan is fully funded and will give the NHS £2.5bn a year over and above the plans left by this Government.”