Stroke Association comment on the Budget

Today, the Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered the Budget to Parliament, setting out the Government’s tax and spending plans for the year ahead.Key announcements included £2.8 billion additional funding for the NHS in England, a series of measures to address concerns over the implementation of Universal Credit and further investment science research and development.

Responding to the Budget, Mark MacDonald, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Stroke Association, said:

“We welcome the announcement of an additional £2.8 billion funding package for the NHS in England, and hope that the £350 million being made available immediately will help to ease the pressures on strained health services, so that those affected by stroke can access the care and support they need this winter.

“But today’s announcement falls well short of the funding that NHS’s leaders say it needs, and the Chancellor has missed an opportunity to make bold decisions on the long-term sustainability of health and care services. It is also disappointing that the Chancellor’s statement didn’t even mention social care, which is already buckling under current pressures and is failing the such a vitally important lifeline to so many affected by stroke.

“Stroke is the leading cause of complex disability in the UK. A large proportion of stroke survivors are entitled to disability benefits and we’re pleased that many will benefit £1.5 billion funding package to ease concerns relating to the delivery of Universal Credit. A quarter of strokes happen to people of working age but sadly, they are two to three times more likely to be unemployed, with many face additional living costs as a result of their stroke. Stroke survivors need to receive their Universal Credit payments without any delays, and we hope these measures will ensure this happens. Having a stroke is bad enough, but too many stroke survivors have to fight for financial support when they should be focussing on their recovery.

“The UK Government’s plans to give extra funding to health also mean that governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will have additional money. We want to see those governments investing this in health and social care, as this is a UK-wide problem.”