It used to be a million million – a very long time ago. However, it is now generally used to mean a thousand million, with the American word “trillion” coming in for the old meaning of the word “billion” – as the link you offer notes under its discussion of how the word entered common currency after “thousand millions” became a more widespread numerical value. That is the meaning of the figure here – i.e. £28 billion is written numerically 28,000,000,000.

Therefore with the £28 billion lost only 112 superhospitals could be built (which would still be a huge number and a useful addition to the NHS). You could have added other examples – entire defence or schools budget for a year, for starters.

I’m equally furious with what the government are doing, but please keep the facts straight or you run the risk of undermining your main point which was after all about a lack of due diligence. It would be a bit difficult for them to throw the amount you are claiming down the drain – the country’s entire GDP is only about £1,600,000,000!