The SNP’s Westminster Leader has warned that Westminster control
is the biggest threat to Scotland’s NHS after the Tory autumn
statement cut funding in real terms, and Labour confirmed it
would "hold the door open" to NHS privatisation.
Stephen Flynn’s comments come after repeated threats to privatise
the NHS from Labour’s Wes Streeting as Shadow Health Secretary,
and the Tory Chancellor’s autumn statement, which experts have
said will lead to further brutal cuts to public spending.
Brexit, backed by both the Tories and Labour, has also led to a
massive labour shortage within the NHS and other public
services.
In contrast, the SNP in government has ensured Scotland’s NHS has
had the highest per-capita funding of the UK nations - 10% higher
than Tory-run England. Proportionally, almost £1.8 billion more
is spent on frontline health services in Scotland compared to
England, and almost £405 million more compared to Labour-run
Wales.
Commenting, said:
“Westminster control is the biggest threat facing Scotland’s NHS,
and only independence will remove that threat for good.
“Both the Tories and Labour are now signed up to dismantling our
vital public health service with privatisation and cuts. Ahead of
next year's election, the Tory plan for the NHS is more austerity
and the Labour plan is to "open the door" to privatisation. Their
plans are clear and the threat is real - it is one more reason
why Westminster isn't working for Scotland
“Jeremy Hunt is set on taking us back to the worst years of
austerity, with the NHS first in line for further cuts - and Keir
Starmer’s Labour party is offering no alternative, choosing to
stick with Tory spending plans.
"Under the SNP, Scotland’s NHS will always remain in public
hands. We’ve made our values and our priorities clear by ensuring
Scotland has the highest NHS funding of all the UK nations.
"But only the full powers of independence can get rid of
Westminster governments for good and the threat they pose to our
public services.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/hospital-bosses-warn-nhs-crisis-31504945
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/policies-and-guidance/autumn-statement-hunt-accused-of-stripping-back-nhs-22-11-2023/
Wes Streeting: we need the
private sector to help reform the NHS
