The number of private health insurance holders has risen for the first time in five years.
Last year, numbers rose by 1.5 per cent, taking the total close to the all-time peak of 2002.
On closer analysis, the figures actually show a drop of 2.2 per cent in the number of people taking out private cover for themselves, however a larger growth of 3.4 per cent in health schemes provided by companies cancelled this out and caused the increase.
The news has surprised many, given that in recent times NHS spending has increased and waiting lists have fallen.
Analyst Philip Blackburn at Laing and Buisson told the FT that the sector “has a sense of optimism” and that it “can look to the future with some confidence”.
Private health giant Bupa welcomed news of the increase today, with managing director Fergus Kee saying that the rise in demand “confirms the continued relevance and importance of private healthcare”.
A total of 7.4 million Britons now hold some form of private health insurance, 12 per cent of the population.
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