CHRONIC underfunding of the NHS can not be fixed with a “sticking plaster” on the service, unions warned today following the Queen’s speech.

Elizabeth Windsor’s speech, described by PM Boris Johnson as the “most radical in a generation,” said steps would be taken to "grow and support" the NHS workforce with a new visa to fast-track qualified doctors, nurses and health professionals into Britain.

The speech said the government promise of an additional £33.9 billion per year to the service by 2023/24 will be enshrined in law, and hospital parking charges will be “removed for those most in need.”

But GMB general secretary Tim Roache warned today: “For all the words about the NHS, today’s sticking plaster won’t make up for chronic underfunding of the health service.

“Our NHS is on its knees after a devastating decade of austerity and we need to see urgent action.

“The Tories have no plan to deal with growing waiting times and the 100,000 nationwide staff vacancies which are pushing services to breaking point.”

Mr Roache said it was “not good enough to simply trot out the same old words” about seeking a cross-party consensus on social care without any concrete detail.

“That won’t wash anymore,” he added. “We need to see deeds not words, and that means the Prime Minister unveiling the clear plan he claims to have prepared.”

Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: “This is more pomp and ceremony — the second Queen’s Speech in three months — from a government hopelessly out of touch with the needs and hopes of people in this country.”

Mr McDonnell said there was nothing new in the speech for the NHS and public services of for those struggling this Christmas other than “strong suggestions” the government will slash regulations “on its way to making the UK a Trump-supporting tax haven."

Latest NHS performance figures released today painted a bleak picture of the winter pressures the service is facing.

The number of ambulance delays exceeding an hour has almost tripled in a year, while attendances at A&E are up and the four-hour waiting taget is being missed across the board.

Increasing numbers of patients are staying in beds for a week or longer, while 892 beds were closed due to norovirus last week — almost double the number this time last year.

Labour shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “The Tories have the great responsibility of fixing the crisis in the NHS which ten years of their underfunding has created.

“Boris Johnson has an 80-seat majority — he has no excuse for not getting a grip of this NHS crisis and putting patients first.”

On education, an increase in funding per pupil in schools was promised in the speech, but National Education Union (NEU) joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said the government “has a lot more to do” to fix school funding.

He said: “Under current government funding plans it is a simple truth that 83 per cent of schools will be worse off in April 2020 than in 2015 in real terms. Many of the constituencies gained by the Conservatives last week are amongst the worst affected.

“The government has failed to resolve the even greater crisis in Further Education and sixth form colleges, which have suffered real-terms cuts that have run longer and deeper. It has also failed even to mention the nursery schools sector.”

Ms Windsor said leaving the EU by January 31 is her government’s priority, that skilled workers will be “welcomed” to Britain via a "points-based immigration system" and an integrated security, defence and foreign-policy review will “reassess the nation’s place in the world.”

She also said new laws will see “no-fault” evictions abolished while landlords will be given more rights to gain possession of their property, will ensure “minimum levels of service during transport strikes” and introduce “legally binding targets” for air quality.

The speech also promised to end “vexatious” claims against British armed-forces personnel, a move the Peace Pledge Union said would put them above the law.

PPU campaigns manager Symon Hill said: “The ink is barely dry on the latest revelations of abuse by UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Boris Johnson is trying to put the armed forces above the law.

“This is not about helping veterans, many of whom face poverty and homelessness. It is about protecting the armed forces as an institution and satisfying Johnson’s supporters in the military lobby and pro-war press.

“It is a fundamental principle of democracy that we are all subject to the same law. Decisions about prosecution should be based on the evidence, not on whether Boris Johnson approves of your job.”

The absence of veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner was felt during the proceedings, after losing the Bolsover seat he held for 49 years.

Mr Skinner was known for making quips in the Commons during the State Opening of Parliament, which had become part of the pomp and circumstance of the event.