Unions urge better pay as NHS in England predicts £1.8bn surplus - The Guardian 4th March 2008

The NHS in England is expected to underspend by £1.8bn when Whitehall's financial year closes at the end of this month, the Department of Health said yesterday. David Flory, the head of finance and performance, said the surplus was the result of "sound and prudent financial planning", but health unions said it showed the government was not justified in giving nurses and other staff below-inflation pay increases. The 2.3% underspend also left some health trusts struggling to meet the government's deadlines for cutting waiting times, combating the MRSA hospital superbug and reducing health inequalities between rich and poor.

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£1.8bn surplus forecast for NHS after cutbacks in patient care - The Times 4th March 2008