Greater Manchester Councils 'to control its entire £6bn NHS budget'

Experts have voiced concerns over the potential risks - both financial and in terms of quality of care - in proposals to give councils in Greater Manchester full control over the region's health budget.

Richard Humphries, assistant director of the King's Fund think tank, said the changes - on the "nuclear end" of the spectrum - could turn out to be a "poisoned chalice" for local authorities.

Handing over healthcare budgets to local councils risks creating a postcode lottery for patients, with differing priorities and levels of care between different regions, critics have warned.

It comes after surprise government plans emerged to hand Greater Manchester councils responsibility for its entire £6 billion NHS budget.

Ukip health spokeswoman Louise Bours said the plans opened the door for councillors to use the money for political purposes rather than for the good of the local population.

George Osborne has confirmed the Government is "discussing a plan" to give Greater Manchester control over its entire NHS budget.

The Chancellor called it "a very exciting development", saying: "We have a National Health Service, but we also want to have people in Manchester having greater control over their own affairs."