PMQs: Davey slams Sunak as hospital-building pledge in tatters 

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has slammed the Prime Minister’s response to his PMQ after Sunak said that the government was making progress on their pledge to provide 40 new hospitals by 2030. 

This is despite one of the hospitals pledged, at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, having been delayed beyond 2030 and yet to receive any government funding for the project.

The Prime Minister was also asked why the government was not moving at speed to provide urgent funding for hospitals in dire need of upgrades such as Harrogate District Hospital which needs £20 million in funding after dangerous RAAC was discovered.

It comes as earlier this year, the National Audit Office warned that this Conservative government will not meet its key manifesto pledge to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 as a result of cost-cutting. 

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Local communities are in desperate need of new health facilities, with their old ones literally crumbling around them. But Rishi Sunak is burying his head in the sand and pretending everything is fine. He is totally out of touch.

“The Prime Minister dropped the NHS from his latest five pledges, and the Chancellor didn’t even mention hospitals once in his Autumn Statement. How can they be trusted to deliver these 40 hospitals when they clearly don’t care? Their pledge lies in tatters.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The National Audit Office comments are reported here.

Harrogate District Hospital needing £20 million to fix issues with RAAC is reported here.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has not received any funding for construction as part of the 40 new hospitals scheme can be found here.

Question texts (check against delivery):

“Thank you Mr Speaker.

“Three years ago, the Government promised forty new hospitals - and significant upgrades to hospitals in most need.

“But today, many schemes are badly delayed.

“The Royal Berkshire - stuck at the development stage, with not a single pound transferred for construction.

“Harrogate Hospital - still waiting on £20 million of urgent upgrades, after RAAC was found earlier this year.

“And 25 more, Mr Speaker! 

“So will the Prime Minister explain why his government is happy to let patients, doctors and nurses suffer for years in such unfit and unsafe conditions?”