Plans to tackle NHS waiting list delayed

Plans to clear England’s NHS waiting list backlog have been delayed.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid dismissed reports that the Treasury had refused to sign off on the plans, insisting there was “no issue” around the money at all. Instead he said the Omicron wave was to blame.

More than six million people in England are currently waiting for care, and the health service remains under extreme pressure from staff absences.