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Row over Labour's 'NHS for sale' claim Row over Labour's 'NHS for sale' claim
(30 minutes later)
A row has broken out after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed he had "proof" the NHS was at risk under a post-Brexit trade deal with the US.A row has broken out after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed he had "proof" the NHS was at risk under a post-Brexit trade deal with the US.
Mr Corbyn said he had a 451-page dossier showing initial talks had taken place, proving the NHS was "for sale".Mr Corbyn said he had a 451-page dossier showing initial talks had taken place, proving the NHS was "for sale".
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the claims were "nonsense" and the NHS would not be part of formal talks.But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the claims were "nonsense" and the NHS would not be part of formal talks.
The Tory manifesto explicitly states neither the price paid for drugs nor NHS services will be "on the table".The Tory manifesto explicitly states neither the price paid for drugs nor NHS services will be "on the table".
Meanwhile the SNP has published its manifesto which includes a pledge to "stop the NHS becoming a lever in any international trade deal" through its NHS Protection Act.Meanwhile the SNP has published its manifesto which includes a pledge to "stop the NHS becoming a lever in any international trade deal" through its NHS Protection Act.
What evidence has Labour obtained?What evidence has Labour obtained?
Labour obtained uncensored government documents covering six rounds of talks between US and UK officials in Washington and London between July 2017 and July 2019.Labour obtained uncensored government documents covering six rounds of talks between US and UK officials in Washington and London between July 2017 and July 2019.
They are all preparatory meetings ahead of formal trade talks.They are all preparatory meetings ahead of formal trade talks.
These documents provide more detail on the meetings Channel 4's Dispatches programme reported on last month.These documents provide more detail on the meetings Channel 4's Dispatches programme reported on last month.
They show the US is interested in discussing drug pricing - mainly, extending patents that stop cheaper generic medicines being used.They show the US is interested in discussing drug pricing - mainly, extending patents that stop cheaper generic medicines being used.
The US currently pays two and a half times more for drugs than the NHS does.
One document quotes a UK official saying the talks are helpful in determining the areas the US may want to discuss, while acknowledging the UK would have objections.One document quotes a UK official saying the talks are helpful in determining the areas the US may want to discuss, while acknowledging the UK would have objections.
As well as the pharmaceutical industry, the talks also covered other areas including agriculture and climate change.As well as the pharmaceutical industry, the talks also covered other areas including agriculture and climate change.
The documents make reference to the US wanting "total market access" as a starting point for trade talks generally - only excluding areas that are specifically placed on a so-called negative list.The documents make reference to the US wanting "total market access" as a starting point for trade talks generally - only excluding areas that are specifically placed on a so-called negative list.
There is no evidence in the documents that the UK has agreed to this.There is no evidence in the documents that the UK has agreed to this.
Is this proof the NHS is up for sale?Is this proof the NHS is up for sale?
This is going to be furiously disputed throughout the day.
Jeremy Corbyn doesn't provide evidence ministers have agreed the health service should be part of a trade deal with US.Jeremy Corbyn doesn't provide evidence ministers have agreed the health service should be part of a trade deal with US.
But details of discussions about the demands of US pharmaceutical companies will still be motivating for Labour voters worried about the NHS.But details of discussions about the demands of US pharmaceutical companies will still be motivating for Labour voters worried about the NHS.
"Not for sale," has been the biggest mantra at Labour events, even though the Tories have always furiously denied the NHS is in any way "up for sale"."Not for sale," has been the biggest mantra at Labour events, even though the Tories have always furiously denied the NHS is in any way "up for sale".
It's clear US drug companies want access to UK markets - Labour suggests the UK has agreed they could extend the patents on some medicines, which could cost the NHS more, for example.It's clear US drug companies want access to UK markets - Labour suggests the UK has agreed they could extend the patents on some medicines, which could cost the NHS more, for example.
But whether any UK government would ever do a deal that made medicines much more expensive for the NHS, and therefore the taxpayer, which would be massively costly for the government and probably prove deeply unpopular, is a big political question.But whether any UK government would ever do a deal that made medicines much more expensive for the NHS, and therefore the taxpayer, which would be massively costly for the government and probably prove deeply unpopular, is a big political question.
A key election battleground? The Conservative manifesto says the NHS will not be on the table in post-Brexit trade talks.
The NHS for sale - explained
The claim the NHS would form part of a free-trade deal with the US under the Tories has been one of the Labour's key attack lines in the general election campaign.The claim the NHS would form part of a free-trade deal with the US under the Tories has been one of the Labour's key attack lines in the general election campaign.
Labour has warned it could mean rising drug prices and NHS services being contracted out to US health companies.
Currently, the NHS is able to use its bargaining power as a centralised health system to negotiate low prices for drugs.
It also has a strong track record in resisting attempts to lengthen patents on drugs, to allow cheaper generics to be used more quickly than they are in the US.
The US currently pays two and a half times more for drugs than the NHS does.
Meanwhile, about 7% of the NHS budget in England goes on private companies that provide NHS services, mainly non-emergency treatments such as knee and hip replacements and some community services.
And Labour has warned this market could be extended further under the Tories.
The war of words
Mr Corbyn said the documents showed talks were at a "very advanced stage" and gave the lie to Boris Johnson's claims the NHS would not be part of any trade talks.Mr Corbyn said the documents showed talks were at a "very advanced stage" and gave the lie to Boris Johnson's claims the NHS would not be part of any trade talks.
"The uncensored documents leave Boris Johnson's denials in absolute tatters," he told a news conference in London."The uncensored documents leave Boris Johnson's denials in absolute tatters," he told a news conference in London.
"We have now got evidence that under Boris Johnson the NHS is on the table and will be up for sale."We have now got evidence that under Boris Johnson the NHS is on the table and will be up for sale.
"He tried to cover it up in a secret agenda and today it has been exposed.""He tried to cover it up in a secret agenda and today it has been exposed."
Reacting to Mr Corbyn's latest claims, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said it was simply a stunt.Reacting to Mr Corbyn's latest claims, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said it was simply a stunt.
"Jeremy Corbyn is getting desperate and is out and out lying about what the documents contain."Jeremy Corbyn is getting desperate and is out and out lying about what the documents contain.
"People should not believe what he says.""People should not believe what he says."
Mr Johnson, meanwhile, said the claims were "total nonsense".Mr Johnson, meanwhile, said the claims were "total nonsense".
"This is continually brought up by the Labour Party as a diversionary tactic from the difficulties they are encountering," he said."This is continually brought up by the Labour Party as a diversionary tactic from the difficulties they are encountering," he said.
And he could give an "absolute cast iron guarantee" the NHS would not be on the table.And he could give an "absolute cast iron guarantee" the NHS would not be on the table.
He also pointed out the documents had been available online for two months.He also pointed out the documents had been available online for two months.