Six PFI hospitals have had their combined value cut by more than 拢400m.

The government last week announced that 拢1.5bn would be spent on the hospitals instead of the original budget of 拢1.9m.

The government said the future of 11 other hospitals would be decided by the autumn.

The University Hospitals Leicester NHS trust has suffered the biggest cut, from 拢904m to 拢711m. The 拢382 North Staffordshire project has been cut to 拢272m and the Walsall hospital scheme has been reduced from 拢188m to 拢141m.

The other three NHS trusts affected are South Devon Healthcare, Salford Royal Hospitals, and Tameside and Glossop Acute Services.

All six projects have been under review by the Department of Health since last January following cost concerns.

Andy Burnham, health minister, said the cuts were to needed to ensure value for money.