NHS health budgets spent on football tickets and PlayStations, say campaigners

As part of its ‘War on Waste’ campaign, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) pressure group have today claimed that thousands of pounds from NHS health budgets has been spent on luxuries including hot tubs, football tickets and PlayStations.

Freedom of information requests sent to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) reveal personal health budgets were used to spend £5,000 on a hot tub from NHS North Tyneside CCG, £579.98 from NHS Norfolk and Waveney CCG on a PlayStation 4 with VR package and £3,000 from NHS West Sussex CCG for a National Trust membership, Merlin Pass and Chelsea FC season ticket. These examples, all from last year, come alongside thousands spent on pilates classes, horse riding, cinema visits and an electric mountain bike.

The budgets form part of personalised care and support plans, and funds cannot be spent on gambling, debt repayment, alcohol or tobacco.

James Roberts, political director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:

“Taxes on working people should not be going up to pay for health service hot tubs.

“Given the new health and social care levy, taxpayers will not accept their money being wasted. While everyone’s care needs will be different, it beggars belief that health budgets could be forking out for jacuzzis, video games and football tickets.

“The upcoming spending review needs to ensure the NHS is offering value for money in every pound it is spending.”