Lib Dems call for any fiscal rule changes to be used to build new hospitals amid under-threat projects

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have written to the Health Secretary ahead of his speech at Labour Conference today calling on the government to use any changes to the fiscal rules which are reported to be being made at the Budget to be used to invest in the NHS and complete the building of the previously promised 40 new hospitals.

In the letter from the Party’s Health and Social Care spokesperson, Helen Morgan she said that the “Conservatives were not honest with the public” in their failure to deliver these schemes but that “patients across the country will now be extremely concerned” that the Health Secretary looks set to cancel many of these new hospitals.

Helen Morgan also said that continuing the projects was “imperative” not only to improve patients care but also for boosting growth with infrastructure spending on major construction projects and that by not fixing the NHS you could not fix the economy.

She went on to say that the changes to the fiscal rules at the Budget, as mentioned in the Chancellor's speech should “pave the way for the investment we desperately need in our hospitals” to improve patient care and boost growth.

It comes after the Health Secretary last week sent letters to MPs which would be impacted by the 40 new hospitals scheme to update them on their progress. A list of the projects within this scheme that were under review and potentially would not be completed was also produced showing that over half of the new hospitals could be axed under the new government.

The Liberal Democrats have said that it should be a matter of priority that all the projects should go ahead and that any changes to the fiscal rules at the Budget in October to increase capital investment should be used to invest in the NHS.

The Party also said that you cannot rebuild the economy without getting people off waiting lists and that without a “Budget for the NHS” with new investment, the NHS and patients will continue to suffer.

Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, Helen Morgan MP said:

“Patients have suffered with a broken health service for far too long after years of Conservative Party neglect. Too many are left waiting in pain and distress for treatment and with hospitals literally crumbling around them due to the Conservatives disgraceful mismanagement.

“It is now up to the new government to rise to the greatest challenge facing our country, saving our NHS.

“It is also clear that rebuilding the economy after years of Conservative economic vandalism can only happen by first fixing the NHS. That means boosting growth through investing in new hospitals being built and getting people off waiting lists.

“That cannot be done without the upcoming Budget being a Budget for the NHS and any changes to the fiscal rules must be used to fix our crumbling hospitals and health services.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The text of the letter from Helen Morgan MP to the Health Secretary:

24th September 2024

Dear Secretary of State,

Re: New Hospital Programme Review

I am writing to call on you to use the upcoming budget to deliver the necessary investment to fix our crumbling NHS hospitals and for you to commit to delivering all 40 new hospitals in the New Hospital Programme.

Under the Conservatives completion dates for these hospitals were pushed back again and again, and it became clear that their promise to complete all 40 so-called ‘new hospitals’ by 2030 wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. The Conservatives were not honest with the public, consistently over promising and under delivering.

As I’m sure you will agree, patients and staff deserve to work in modern clean hospitals, not left worrying for their own safety due to crumbling buildings and leaky wards. Completing these hospitals would be a critical step towards achieving this.

Your letter setting out your review of the New Hospital Programme identifies 25 schemes in the programme which you describe as ‘unaffordable and undeliverable’. Patients across the country will now be extremely concerned that their local hospital may not receive the investment it needs as a result of this review.

While I understand the need to manage the disastrous legacy left by the Conservative Government, and welcome the decision to prioritise those hospitals afflicted by dangerous RAAC, it is imperative that you commit to completing all 40 projects in the programme, even if the timelines must be pushed back.

The Chancellor’s reference to the fiscal rules in her speech this weekend at Labour conference was reassuring. I hope that it will pave the way for the investment we desperately need in our hospitals and primary care estate. It would be a vital step forward in rebuilding the public’s trust in government.

This investment will also boost growth by increasing infrastructure spending and improving everyone’s health. With so many off work with long term sickness, ensuring that everyone can access the services they need is critical to getting our economy growing.

I would welcome confirmation that all the schemes identified under the New Hospital Programme will be completed and that further investment in the budget will be brought forward.

Yours sincerely,

Helen Morgan MP

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care