Chris Hopson explains why – to the frustration of local government – NHS spending continues to rise

Current NHS finances are a paradox for some and a source of frustration for others. How come the NHS has been generously ringfenced and given an extra £2bn in 2015/16, when the rest of Whitehall was cut by £3bn, yet it is still facing the biggest financial problem in a generation? And why are 80% of NHS trusts and foundation trusts now in the red, having run up a near £1bn deficit in the first quarter of 2015/16 alone?