Britain on track to become a ‘National Health State’, says thinktank

Rachel Reeves talks to staff during a visit to St Thomas' hospital in London on Wednesday. The chancellor has announced extra funding for hospitals. Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

Britain is on track to become a “National Health State” where half of all public spending is allocated to the NHS and social care by the end of the decade, according to a leading thinktank.

Rachel Reeves used her spending review on Wednesday to prioritise billions of pounds for the NHS as she outlined Labour’s priorities up to the next general election, while squeezing funding for other areas.