In their latest podcast Niall Dickson and Roy Lilley are joined by former health secretary, foreign secretary, and chancellor,  Sir Jeremy Hunt. 

In a fascinating insight, reflecting on his years in power, Sir Jeremy reveals how terrified he was to find himself responsible for the NHS knowing nothing much beyond his own constituency issues.

Over time he says he learned how to work the system to secure more resources for the NHS from the Treasury.  He says being Foreign Secretary was great fun and you were not blamed for anything, while being health secretary was a privilege, but you were blamed for everything. 

He feels that having NHS England as an arm’s length body worked during his time, and that Wes Streeting needs to be careful what he wishes for in ordering its abolition.

Sir Jeremy admits cuts to social care went too far in 2010 and says he wanted to do more but was moved on before he could follow up his 2019 NHS cash injection. 

He remains passionate about patient safety and calls for no fault medical negligence, the abolition of all NHS targets and a single budget at local level for older people receiving NHS and social care services.