NHS England Chief Simon Stevens Is a Hypocrite

On 22 May 2016, while discussing Brexit on the Andrew Marr Show, Simon Stevens—the Chief Executive of NHS England and former Labour councillor for Brixton in the London Borough of Lambeth—asserted that leaving the EU would be devastating for the NHS. In doing so, he has clearly forfeited any claim to political neutrality in his role.

1. Immigration and the NHS Workforce

Simon Stevens claimed that the NHS “needs immigrant workers to survive.” However, there are over 1.5 million unemployed people in the UK who could be trained as nurses and health workers. Many unfilled nursing vacancies arise from shortsighted workforce planning and cuts to training posts—choices made by policymakers, not Brexit.

Opposing View: Reports show some 80,000 applicants are turned away from nursing courses, often because it is cheaper to recruit from abroad. Leaving the EU could free up resources to train local people for local NHS roles. Read more on Brexit and the NHS Workforce.

2. Recession Fears and NHS Funding

Stevens echoed Mark Carney’s warning that a UK recession “might” follow Brexit, which could harm NHS budgets. Yet Carney’s view represents the interests of big business and international bankers, not front-line healthcare.

Opposing View: Lord Stuart Rose, former Chairman of Marks & Spencer and current chair of Britain Stronger in Europe, recently admitted that wages would rise post-Brexit. He conceded high immigration lowers wages—so NHS staff on lower pay bands could see salary increases if the UK controlled its borders.

3. The £10 Billion EU Dividend and NHS Investment

Simon Stevens challenged claims that the £10 billion saved from EU contributions would be redirected to the NHS, effectively calling Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, and Lord Owen liars. Yet as a non-elected official, his remit is to implement policies set by democratically elected politicians.

Opposing View: Lord Owen argues that EU membership forces competition-led marketisation on the NHS. Brexit would end European Commission interference—including proposed transatlantic trade deals that privatise healthcare. For more on funding and reform, see NHS Reform and Funding after Brexit.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union, summarised it best: “It is not the job of an NHS Executive to misuse his position to influence the EU debate.” Simon Stevens is a hypocrite who abused his office to deliver a partisan message—something he would condemn if done by any other NHS employee.

Vote Leave and Protect the NHS.