In response to comments from the health secretary , Heidi Alexander , Jeremy Hunt has told MPs that measures taken to control unsustainable spending on agency staff are beginning to take effect with overall spend on agency staff now falling . He expects the NHS to save at least £ 1bn this year , down from the £ 3bn+ spent in 2015 . Alexander said spending on agency staff has gone through the roof under Hunt ’s watch and that addressing the symptoms rather than the cause of the problem has left hospitals unable to hire staff at the permitted rate .
In response to comments from shadow health secretary, Heidi Alexander, Jeremy Hunt has told MPs that measures taken to control unsustainable spending on agency staff are beginning to take effect with overall spend on agency staff now falling. He expects the NHS to save at least £1bn this year, down from the £3bn+ spent in 2015. Alexander said spending on agency staff has gone through the roof under Hunt’s watch and that addressing the symptoms rather than the cause of the problem has left hospitals struggling to hire staff at the permitted rates.