Mark Wild also admitted that HS2 had been rushed and ‘construction started way too early’

In her response to the statement from Karin Smyth, Caroline Johnson, the shadow health minister, suggested the extra money for hospices would not fully compensate the extra costs the sector is facing because of the national insurance increase and the rise in the living wage. She said:

On October 30 the chancellor decided to break her election promise by increasing employers’ national insurance contributions and reducing the threshold at which employer contributions are payable.

It was later confirmed that hospices would not be exempted from this increase in costs. Now the government has announced new funding for the sector, which they had the audacity to call the biggest investment in a generation.

The biggest investment in a generation for hospices has been announced by the government today, ensuring that hospices can continue to deliver the highest quality end of life care possible for their patients, families, and loved ones.

The £100m funding will help hospices this year and next to provide the best end of life care to patients and their families in a supportive and dignified physical environment.