GB News presenter Camilla Tominey didn’t hold back as she confronted Health Secretary Wes Streeting over Labour’s decision to abolish NHS England. With the government reclaiming control of the NHS and its budget, she demanded to know why a six-figure salary was still being offered for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) manager.
“Only this month, there is a role advertised in the South West of England for an NHS DEI manager on, wait for it, £122k,” she pressed. reported the Express. “Why are they still advertising for these roles? Can the NHS, with a waiting list of 6.3 million, afford to be spending £122k on a DEI role? What is going on?”
Streeting attempted to defend the situation, explaining: “Yeah, there are two things I’d say. One is Jim Mackey and I are slamming the brakes on overspending in the NHS and making sure that we are reducing the numbers of—” But Tominey wasn’t having it. Cutting him off, she demanded, “Okay, so are you going to pull that advert?”
Trying to regain control of the conversation, Streeting responded: “Some of the DEI roles, some of them have really lost their way. I saw a report this weekend suggesting that we should change the name of midwives to—I can’t even remember. I find that very frustrating. We’ve got black women three or four times more likely to die in childbirth…”
Tominey wasn’t satisfied, cutting in again: “Okay, that’s great, but Mr Streeting, why are these roles still being advertised if you’re cutting down on them? Why are they still on websites?”
A long pause followed before Streeting eventually admitted: “I think it is fair to say it has taken a little while for some people in the NHS to get the message. I think the announcement will have sent a strong and clear message, and I want to make sure every penny going into the NHS is being well spent.”
With millions of patients stuck on waiting lists and NHS funding under scrutiny, the heated exchange highlighted growing frustration over spending priorities. While Streeting insists reforms are on the way, Tominey’s tough questioning suggests the public is still waiting for real answers.
