Labour and Tories refuse to commit to doctors' NHS funding plea

Alliance of senior doctors warns that health service will be at risk without an extra £8bn a year, with the Lib Dems the only party to make any such pledge

Labour and the Conservatives have rejected a plea from doctors’ leaders to “put their money where their mouth is” and guarantee the NHS an extra £8bn a year by 2020.

The two main parties have spurned the pre-election demand by an alliance of bodies representing GPs, hospital consultants, A&E specialists and other doctors that they commit to finding the “substantial” sum if they form the next government. The Lib Dems have pledged the extra funding.

Related: The NHS needs an extra £8bn a year to survive and meet its challenges | Letters from Dr Maureen Baker, Professor Jane Dacre and others

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