Labour and Tories refuse to commit to doctors' £8bn NHS funding plea

Alliance of senior doctors warns that health service will be at risk without the extra funds, 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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