Keir Starmer announces he is scrapping NHS England

The move is intended to remove a layer of bureaucracy from the complex NHS system

During a speech announcing public sector reform plans, the prime minister said he would be scrapping the "arms-length body NHS England," the BBC reports.

“I’m bringing management of the NHS back into democratic control, by abolishing the arms-length body NHS England,” he says.

He added this will "put the NHS back at the heart of government where it belongs."

The NHS is a highly devolved system split into multiple organisations that work together to process funds and resources.

Organisations become more local and focussed further down the system with NHS England working on a national level.

NHS trusts are the organisations most people have direct contact with, working on a local level to provide healthcare services.

By abolishing NHS England, Starmer intends on removing a layer of bureaucracy from the complex NHS system.

NHS Scotland and NHS Wales will not be affected as far as is known.

The PM said: "I don't see why decisions about £200billion of taxpayer money, on something as fundamental as the NHS, should be taken by an arms length body.

"Today has got to be a line in the sand for all of us I can't explain to the British people why they should spend their money on two layers on bureaucracy.

"That money could and should be spent on nurses, doctors, operations, GP appointments. I'm bringing management of the NHS back into democratic control."

He added: "By abolishing the arms length body NHS England, that will put the NHS back at the heart of government where it belongs, freeing it to focus on patients, less bureaucracy, with more money for nurses."

During his talk Starmer highlighted too much regulation and too many regulators.

"I'm not a believer in lowering standards," he said, noting there are also too many inconsistencies in regulation.

More to follow.