Jeremy Hunt is building a £44,000 private bathroom in his office while calling for £22bn NHS cuts
A private bathroom reportedly costing £44,000 has been built in Jeremy Hunt’s new office, it has emerged.
The 15ft-by-8ft shower suite has ceiling-high slate tiles and sensor-activated lights and a large vanity mirror so he can “freshen up” privately after cycling to work, according to a report in The Sun.
The bathroom is part of a wider refurbishment at the Department of Health at Wellington House in London’s Waterloo, which costs £25m of taxpayers’ money.
A source told the newspaper: “It’s a disgrace that Hunt talks about the need to save money while getting the taxpayer to pay for a private bathroom fit for a king.
“People across Britain are waiting on trollies at hospitals because there are no beds and waiting lists are getting longer by the day. But that’s OK, as long as Jeremy doesn’t have to queue for the bathroom.”
The Department of Health, currently based in Whitehall, was unable to give details about plans for a suite, and did not confirm how much it would cost, who it would be for or where it would be located.
The Health Secretary has denied that the bathroom suite is for his own use.
Mr Hunt tweeted: “Today's @TheSun story totally false. TRUE I requested shower for long dist cyclists in new Dept Health offices (as in current office).
He added: “FALSE it was for my own use. My cycle 2work only 10 mins so no need 2 ‘freshen up’ as story elegantly says. But let’s encourage cyclists!”.
It comes at a time of increased pressure and looming cuts to the NHS, which has been told to make £22bn in efficiency savings by 2020.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “The Health Secretary has not approved any costs relating to the department’s new building, but has requested facilities for all cyclists and runners in line with those the department currently has.”
Additional reporting by agencies
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