Brown sets target for NHS spending

Those in the profession looking for extra funding for the NHS were not disappointed with chancellor Gordon BrownÕs 2002 Budget.The chancellor set out a five-year programme of spending for the health service which will rise from this year £65.4bn to £105.6bn by 2008.In a statement which also promised small businesses that complications would be removed from VAT payments by the introduction of a flat-rate calculation Ð and improvements for large manufacturers in research and development via a tax credit Ð Mr Brown announced that UK health spending would rise from 7.7 per cent of national income this year, to 9.4 per cent by 2007/08.ÔWe now have the best chance in a generation to secure our National Health Service,Õ he said, Ônot just for a year or two but for the long-term.ÕHe ignored calls from the opposition to think again about how health spending was generated in the UK. ÔThis is a Budget to make our NHS the best insurance policy in the world,Õ he said. ÔThe NHS is a British ideal, fairness and enterprise together.Õ