NHS waiting lists in England have climbed to a record high amid continuing industrial action in the health service.
According to official data released on Thursday, 7.47 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment at the end of May, up from 7.42 million at the end of April.
It is the highest number since records began in August 2007.
In May, some 385,022 people had been waiting more than 52 weeks to start routine hospital treatment, up from 371,111 at the end of April.
During the same period, 11,446 people were estimated to have been waiting 18 months to start treatment, down slightly from 11,477.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a press conference on the new NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, in Downing Street, London, on June 30, 2023. (Frank Augstein/PA Media)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to cut NHS waiting lists earlier this year, when it stood at 7.2 million….