The government has announced that senior NHS managers who fail to improve patient care could be denied pay rises.

Under new plans from the health secretary, NHS senior managers who run big deficits or poor services for patients will be ineligible for pay increases.

Wes Streeting will make the announcement at the NHS Providers Annual Conference and Exhibition in Liverpool.

Streeting said: "I’m prepared to pay for the best and I will defend financial incentives to attract and keep talented people in the NHS. It’s a big organisation that should be competing with global businesses for the best talent.

"But there will be no more rewards for failure. We have got to get a grip on runaway spending and make sure every penny going to the NHS benefits patient – changes will not be popular but it’s a case of reform or die.

"The Budget made the investment that the NHS needs. The reforms I’m announcing will make sure taxpayers and patients see results."