Rachel Reeves to Review UK Hospital Building Plans

Rachel Reeves, Britain's new finance minister, announced a full review of the government's hospital building programme. She criticized the former Conservative government for misrepresenting public finances. The National Audit Office highlighted that only 32 of the 40 promised hospitals by 2030 were on track, with some being mere renovations.

Rachel Reeves, Britain's new finance minister, announced on Monday that the government would undertake a comprehensive review of a hospital building programme, emphasizing the need for realistic financial planning. This statement came as Reeves detailed spending cuts, condemning the previous Conservative administration for obscuring the true state of public finances.

Last year, the National Audit Office (NAO) reported that only 32 out of 40 hospitals, pledged by former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, were expected to be finished by 2030. This hospital building target was a key promise in Johnson's 2019 election campaign. However, the commitment has faced criticism, with some of the proposed projects being simple renovations of existing facilities rather than new constructions.

(With inputs from agencies.)