Number of people on NHS waiting lists in England at record high

Some 23,281 people have been waiting more than two years to start treatment. Photograph: Curtseyes/Alamy

The number of people in England waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen to the highest level since records began 15 years ago, with A&E and ambulance waits also soaring amid high Covid rates, staff shortages and increased demand.

NHS data shows 6.2 million people are waiting to start treatment, the highest number since records began in August 2007.