20 NHS building projects given green light

Boris Johnson has given the green light to 20 new building and infrastructure projects in the NHS in England.

The £850m package will pay for new wards, intensive care units and diagnostic centres as well as refurbishing some existing facilities over the next five years.

Mr Johnson also said there would be an extra £1bn this year to improve and maintain existing buildings.

But doubts have been raised over whether the money really is new.

Mr Johnson confirmed that the £1bn for this year was extra – and would mean “more beds, new wards, and extra life-saving equipment”.

It will bring spending to £7bn during 2019-20.