Justin Madders MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, commenting on the rise in NHS spend on agency staff, said:

“It’s clear that the Tories have lost complete control of NHS spending on expensive agency staff.

“Jeremy Hunt promised to tackle ‘rip off’ staffing agencies, but the bill has continued to rise and is frankly bleeding the NHS dry.

“The reality for Ministers is that their cuts to nurse training places during the last Parliament have left hospital wards dangerously understaffed and forced NHS bosses to drain resources on extortionate agency staff. This situation is only going to get worse if the Government presses ahead with its plan to scrap student nurse bursaries.

“It’s time Ministers took some responsibility for this situation and tackled the serious staff shortages facing the NHS in England.”