The i newspaper reports that the government is in talks with private healthcare operators in a bid to agree deals that would create 7,000 extra NHS beds in private hospitals. The government hopes it could help cut waiting lists and also avoid the need for any new lockdowns over the winter months by ensuring there are enough beds. But the new deals are expected to cost the taxpayer more than £2bn, and the firms allowed almost £200m in profits, the paper adds. NHS England said such deals with private firms are struck at the same cost as NHS services.