Anyone else concerned about a minister awarding himself powers? And to pay the US more for medicines?

[WaryCrow]

Only it appears that is what Streeting, once heralded on this site as a future prime minister hopeful, has done.

I find the prospect of a minister awarding himself powers worrying anyway.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/26/mps-oppose-wes-streeting-power-to-say-what-nhs-pays-for-drugs-nice

This is in relation to a controversial US/ UK deal to allow U.K. drug exports to bypass Trump’s tariffs, of which a professor at the university of Liverpool says ““Why spend an extra £9bn a year on higher drug prices to protect drug exports to the US of only £5bn a year? The maths simply does not add up.” The £9bn would save more lives if it were instead spent on expanding existing services, he added.” - from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/02/uk-drug-exports-to-us-spared-tariffs-under-deal-critics-say-will-cost-nhs-billions

Thank goodness for some MPs particularly John McDonnell (whom I’ve always liked) questioning this. It also seems there was some wrangling with the Treasury in the past.

What price democracy and people’s wellbeing while we continue to cave into Trump and America.

I am so disappointed in Streeting who looked to have initial promise, but seems just as susceptible to lobbyists as the next politician. Makes me distrust his judgement.

I don't understand it, they say that decisions of what drugs to buy will be taken out of the hands of NICE and it will be more expensive and cause reductions in other services, but then say it won't affect NICE's independence. Who's right? What is the exact wording of this change? But I would bet it will suit Trump.

The cap on drug prices has been raised from £30k to £35k so NICE can approve more drugs and they can be made available through the NHS. That’s of particular benefit to cancer patients. Global Justice Now appears to be a bunch of stirrers.

I am wondering now how much of a competition there is between the treasury and the health secretary.

He’s an utter twat and worse than his mentor Starmer. Also has that plastic media managing never answer the question approach. His forbid he ever becomes PM.

He’s just about the only politician who does answer questions. I don’t particularly like him, I think he’s a bit smarmy, but I can’t deny that he’s a brilliant communicator and a very good politician.

I suppose it depends on your requirements in a politician. He’s done the NHS no favours with his endless downgrading. He’s a bit of a soft Tory really.

What has he downgraded in the NHS? It’s the most productive it’s been since Covid.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/03/nhs-waiting-list-continues-to-fall-despite-record-winter/

Many of the jobs to less qualified staff.

Such as?

@BIossomtoesBest read the NHS workforce strategy.

I notice you don't mention the increasing amount of money being paid to private healthcare providers in cutting waiting lists.

Streeting was behind the cutting of a ringfenced maternity fund from 90-odd million to, erm, 2. Bit if a drop there for a service already seeing scandals - in fact the ring fencing was to prevemt scandals and improve safety.

The Tories are enemies and New New Labour are as much liars and traitors to working people as New Labour were.

He is indeed susceptible to lobbyists. Lobbyists from private US health companies particularly.

I’ll repeat, Labour politicians are traitors.

https://goodlawproject.org/how-private-health-has-invested-in-wes-streeting/

https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/04/01/wes-streeting-nhs-reform-private-donations/