Jonathan Freedland is obviously right (The reality of Brexit is biting hard. Poor people are suffering most – and now everyone can see it, 2 December). That reality is obliterating the falsehoods of the Brexiters and, much worse, inflicting terrible harm on our economy, and therefore on tax revenue and the vital services that depend on it.
When the Office for Budget Responsibility assesses the loss of growth caused by Brexit to be £100bn, and the consequent revenue reduction at £40bn, the health service, which requires just over 20% of national government expenditure, could lose about £8bn a year – £154m a week. Add to that the withdrawal and denial of doctors, nurses and other health and care workers since 2016, and the reality becomes horrific. It will also be lasting.
