THE New Hospital Programme (NHP) could be ‘scaled back’ or ‘delayed’ according to national reports.

National newspapers have reported that chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce tomorrow (Monday, July 29) plans to delay, scale back or even scrap plans for ‘unfunded’ projects, including the NHP, casting doubt over plans to build a new hospital for Basingstoke and Winchester.

The announcement is expected to form part of the Treasury’s plans to plug a reported £20bn ‘black hole’ in spending left by the Conservatives, while committing to an above-inflation public sector pay rise.

SEE ALSO: Promises over new hospital builds were 'cruel ploy' says health secretary

According to The Times, the NHP, which was meant to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030 including for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is one of the government schemes to be substantially scaled back or scrapped.

It has reported that the chancellor is expected to argue that Britain is ‘broke and broken’ and she will be ‘open with the country about the seriousness of our situation’.

The Guardian has reported that the chancellor is expected to announce the capital projects at risk, which includes the NHP, as she argues she has inherited projects that are ‘unfunded with unfeasible timelines’.

The news comes after health secretary, Wes Streeting, told MPs it was ‘painfully clear’ that the NHP was not deliverable by 2030.

READ MORE: Basingstoke's MP meeting with health secretary to discuss new hospital timeline

He said the previous Conservative government’s repeated commitment to rebuild hospitals in marginal constituencies by 2030 was a 'cruel and cynical ploy' which gave people 'false hope'.

He vowed to find the truth on the promise to build 40 new hospital, including in Basingstoke, and ordered an ‘urgent review’.

New Basingstoke Labour MP Luke Murphy said he is meeting Mr Streeting in the coming weeks regarding a new hospital for the town, and said the Labour government is “fully committed” to the new hospital for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He added: “What we need now is an honest and realistic timetable for its delivery.”