An MP has given a statement welcoming the Government’s NHS Long Term Plan and an extra £20.5 billion investment in healthcare.

Much of the extra money over five years will go to mental health support in schools, relieving pressure on hospital trusts and expanding GP services.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers said: “This is a comprehensive long-term plan and a substantial investment in our NHS by the Government that will help the NHS tackle the challenges the service faces in the modern era.”

“I particularly welcome the focus on delivering better outcomes for people with cancer and other major conditions; growing the NHS workforce with more doctors, nurses and other health professionals; expanding mental health care, and improving efficiency and technology to ensure that the new funding gets right to the front line of health care.

“I have backed the campaign by Cancer Research UK to recruit more specialist cancer staff as one in 10 NHS diagnostic posts are unfilled, and UK cancer survival rates still lag behind the best in Europe."

“This continues to be a challenge, but the new NHS Plan is an important step towards delivering the goals of the Cancer Research campaign and improving early diagnosis of cancer.”