NHS Funding Bill guarantees NHS won’t get the resources it needs - Jonathan Ashworth

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary, said: 

“This bill will legally cap NHS expenditure for the next four years at a level that fails to tackle the crisis of growing waiting lists for surgery, cancer treatment or mental health care – or deal with overcrowded A&Es.

“If Tory MPs were genuinely committed to the NHS they would vote for our amendment to the Queen Speech on Thursday calling for an annual increase in overall health spending of at least 4 per cent a year, alongside a costed long term plan for social care. 

“Instead Boris Johnson is ordering his MPs to vote for this capped expenditure bill guaranteeing in law that the NHS won’t get the resources it needs for the remainder of this Parliament.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The Queen’s Speech debate on health is back in Parliament on Thursday 16 January 2020. The Labour Party has secured focus on funding for health and social care services for the debate.  Jonathan Ashworth MP will open the debate and Barbara Keeley, Shadow Minister for mental health and social care, will close the debate.