Government to miss 40 new hospitals target

The government is likely to miss its target to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, the spending watchdog has said.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said in a report that the project had been beset by delays. It also warned that cost-cutting and inaccurate modelling of future demand could mean new hospitals are too small.

The health department remained “firmly committed” to delivering the England building pledge, a spokesperson said.

But Labour called the report “damning”.

The hospitals plan was a Conservative manifesto commitment during the December 2019 election campaign, and it was made policy the following year.