-
Question
The shadow Secretary of State criticises the Labour Government for making promises they could not keep, highlighting the betrayal of trust in delivering the New Hospitals Programme. He points out that despite warnings from Conservative MPs about potential pauses in capital investment due to economic constraints, the Secretary of State was still quoted as being committed to delivering these projects until recently.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State responds by acknowledging past issues but emphasising the current plans for sustainable funding and realistic timetables. He notes that despite delays caused by previous government's mismanagement, his Labour Government is committed to rebuilding trust through credible commitments.
-
Question
The specialist emergency care hospital in Sutton is in tier 2 of these schemes. Can I say to the Secretary of State, as I have said to every Health Secretary over the past 25 years, that no one wants this? We want the services at St Helier hospital to remain at St Helier, where the people who are poorest and most ill need them.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: I think that will be a unique representation this afternoon. I know that the Minister for Secondary Care, my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol South (Karin Smyth), has already committed to meeting her, and we are very happy to have those conversations with her.
-
Question
In Hampshire and across the country in 2019 and 2024, Conservative MPs stood on the promise of delivering new hospitals, including one for Hampshire. However, it turned out that there was never any funding for that, and that those were just false promises to try to get votes.
Minister reply
I will take those points in turn. With enormous respect for the momentous democratic event taking place in Washington today, I do not think that the new President, last time I checked, had declared an interest in any of our hospital schemes.
-
Question
Given that the new hospital programme is delayed, it is more urgent than ever to increase capacity by fixing social care, so that those who are well enough to leave hospital can be cared for in the community, thus freeing up beds immediately.
Minister reply
The Chancellor prioritised investment in our NHS and social care services in the Budget, with £26 billion of additional funding for my Department of Health and Social Care. On social care specifically, we have taken a number of actions: fair pay agreements for care professionals, expansion of the carer’s allowance since the 1970s, and an uplift in funding for local authorities.
-
Question
Although the Health Secretary is not responsible for the state of the NHS or the state of the economy, which the Government inherited, the new hospital programme was seen as part of the solution to the crisis in the NHS.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman raises broader challenges for the NHS and social care pressures in our country. We will be setting out further reforms throughout this year, as well as phase 1 of the Casey commission reporting next year for the duration for this Parliament.
-
Question
Will the Secretary of State agree that building smaller cottage hospitals and providing care in community settings is a more cost-effective solution for dealing with frail elderly patients?
Minister reply
I thank Sir Edward for his constructive contribution. This Government will deliver better care closer to home, including intermediate step-down accommodation which provides high-quality rehabilitation at lower costs compared to NHS beds.
-
Question
How will the Secretary of State review hospitals not on the list and schedule them into future programmes?
Minister reply
We keep a regular eye on capital needs across the NHS, taking into account resource constraints such as construction industry capacity. We aim to ensure that the promises we make are deliverable.
-
Question
Can the Secretary of State confirm funding for the reconstruction of the maternity unit at QEQM hospital in Margate, as indicated before the general election?
Minister reply
I am aware of the challenges in East Kent. The Deputy Prime Minister and I are discussing carefully how to ensure that infrastructure and public services match new home developments.
-
Question
Can the Secretary of State assure constituents of Chelsea and Fulham that the timetable for Charing Cross Hospital will be met?
Minister reply
I can give my hon. Friend an assurance, acknowledging past false promises about funding. Pre-construction work is planned between 2030-2035 with construction due to start around 2036.
-
Question
Will the Secretary of State reconsider the timescale for building a new Royal Lancaster infirmary given current conditions?
Minister reply
We accept the need for investment in the new hospital locally, and the land was acquired by this Government in December 2024 ahead of pre-construction works planned for 2030.
-
Question
Can constituents in Blaydon and Consett be confident that they have an honest, realistic timetable with the new review?
Minister reply
Investment in Shotley Bridge community hospital will start construction in 2026-27. We continue to work together to improve health and care provision.
-
Question
What does this announcement mean for projections of operating costs, repairs and maintenance costs, and stopgap facilities?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman served under Conservative Governments imposing austerity, which has cost the country dearly. The National Audit Office stated that by their definition in 2020, it will not deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.
-
Question
My right hon. Friend’s statement stands in sharp contrast to that made on 25 May 2023 by the previous Secretary of State, when he completely forgot to put in his statement, both written and verbal, North Manchester general hospital. I am pleased that North Manchester general hospital is today in the first wave, but I would be grateful if my right hon. Friend could spell out in detail when the work will continue.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right about the sorry state that North Manchester General Hospital has been left in by our Conservative predecessors. The work will continue and construction will start in 2027-28. I am looking forward to working with him, other Greater Manchester MPs, the leader of the city council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to make sure this project delivers for the health and economic benefits of the people of Greater Manchester.
-
Question
Given how Government finance works, the Secretary of State knows that he has, in effect, cancelled the replacement of Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital. That is despite the now Prime Minister going there during the election campaign and making a specific, unequivocal and unconditional promise that the hospital would be replaced by 2030. Sadly, it looks like that will now not be the case.
Minister reply
We are happy to receive sensible representations from Members about their projects, as we have from my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Luke Murphy). It is a bit rich for Conservative Members to talk about understanding how public finances work.
-
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the previous Government’s commitment to delivering 40 new hospitals by 2030 was, as the NAO concluded, disingenuous and “unrealistic”?
Minister reply
The approach we are taking prioritises affordability and deliverability of projects such as the Royal Cornwall hospital. We will continue to support enabling work and construction due between 2027-2029.
-
Alex Sobel
Labour/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Question
Leeds General Infirmary received outline planning permission in 2020. Two Conservative Prime Ministers came to Leeds and promised that we would get our new hospital, despite knowing the funding was not there in the Treasury. Now that we know we are in wave 2, will he meet me and the chief executive to talk about one of the largest maintenance backlogs in the NHS?
Minister reply
The Chancellor and I are committed to the project: we know how important it is. Pre-construction work will take place over 2030-2032, with construction due to start in 2033-2035.
-
Question
Airedale hospital has some of the worst RAAC of all the hospitals on the new hospital programme. All surveys have said that given the risk profile associated with RAAC, parts of the hospital will have no life expectancy beyond 2030, which is why the completion date of 2030 was so important. With funds having been allocated to the project for it to be delivered, it is disappointing to hear today that the start date will be between 2025 and 2030.
Minister reply
In fact, he is a dead ringer for the guy I used to see on the Conservative Benches cheering on and voting for every calamitous decision the Conservative Government took. We are prioritising those hospitals and going as fast as we can.
-
Question
I welcome the honesty with which my right hon. Friend is approaching this matter, because Governments should not make false promises. I had the chance to visit a couple of the RAAC hospitals, and the Public Accounts Committee, which I used to chair, examined Hospital 2.0, the standardised approach he talked about. It contained some quite startling assumptions.
Minister reply
I reassure my hon. Friend that the approach we are taking gives me confidence and assurance to know that the timetable we have set out is affordable and credible.
-
Question
In a few weeks’ time, I will celebrate my 42nd birthday. I was born at the Royal Berkshire hospital in Newbury, and given the Secretary of State’s announcement today, I will be celebrating my 60th birthday when the new hospital is due to open. Will the Secretary of State talk us through how operational budgets will be increased at hospitals such as the Royal Berkshire?
Minister reply
On the phasing of the programme, we have taken an approach that ensures that we can stand up and look his constituents in the eye, and say that we have an affordable programme that can be delivered according to the timetable set out.
-
Question
While I welcome the commitment to a new Royal Berkshire hospital, can my right hon. Friend visit the site and discuss interim funding with local stakeholders?
Minister reply
I would be delighted to visit and work closely with local MPs like my hon. Friends the Members for Earley and Woodley (Yuan Yang) and Reading Central (Matt Rodda) to address immediate health and social care needs in their constituencies.
-
Question
Given the RAAC safety issues at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, will you expedite business case approvals for the new multi-storey car park to start construction by 2030?
Minister reply
We recognise the urgency and will prioritise this as a RAAC scheme. Construction is due to begin in 2027-28 with completion in 2032-33, but we will work as fast as possible given safety challenges.
-
Question
Can you organise an urgent meeting to discuss alternative funding sources and criteria for Whipps Cross hospital, which has been delayed until 2032?
Minister reply
There’s an offer I can’t refuse. We are always looking for best practice and would be delighted to hear more about the success in her community.
-
Question
I urge you to visit Whiston hospital and St Helens local authority to see how integrated health and social care can be improved. Will you do this?
Minister reply
There’s an offer I can’t refuse. We are always looking for best practice and would be delighted to hear more about the success in her community.
-
Question
Given our joint campaigning on Watford General Hospital, can we challenge underlying assumptions such as build cost with your Minister?
Minister reply
The Minister of State will be holding briefings tomorrow for Members from across the House and is happy to receive further questions.
-
Question
Considering our primary care estate, can we also invest in general practice facilities as part of this programme?
Minister reply
The Chancellor committed at Budget to significant investment not only for new hospitals but also for the general practice estate.
-
Question
With maintenance issues at Wycombe Hospital, can you tell us where this elongation leaves the works and meet me to discuss progress?
Minister reply
I would be happy to take representations from the hon. Gentleman on these important matters.
-
Question
Given that trust in politics is low, what reassurances can you give my constituents about the Leeds General Infirmary timeline?
Minister reply
We are committed to delivering these projects with transparency and accountability. Trust will be rebuilt through delivery on promises made.
-
Question
The Conservative Government promised a new hospital in west Hertfordshire, claiming it was fully funded. However, the project has been pushed back by seven to nine years without any pre-construction work or funding for repairs. Why are Watford General Hospital and 23 other hospitals ahead of this project?
Minister reply
The prioritisation is based on affordability, deliverability, and methodology outlined in our report. Pre-construction work will begin from 2028 to 2030, with construction starting in 2031-2033. The blame lies with the previous Government for breaking their promises.
-
Question
My predecessor told constituents that work on Kettering General Hospital was ready to go, but there was no credible plan and money would run out. Can the Secretary of State reassure my constituents about a realistic timeframe for the rebuild?
Minister reply
Pre-construction work will begin from 2028 to 2030 with construction starting in 2031-2032. I am sorry that my hon. Friend’s constituents were misled; they have already rumbled the Conservatives by sending her to Parliament.
-
Question
One of the plans for a health and wellbeing centre in Staines, one of only six community diagnostic hubs allocated by NHS England, was pulled. Will the Secretary of State please have another look at it?
Minister reply
I would be delighted to look favourably on his representations about local facilities.
-
Question
My local hospital was not selected for the new hospital programme. Will he commit to considering a wider estate plan for the rest of the NHS estate, especially in east Kent?
Minister reply
We are looking across the board at the capital need in the NHS and social care and prioritising accordingly.
-
Question
Hinchingbrooke hospital will not be allocated grid space until Q1 2028, but it needs it by Q1 2027. Can the Health Secretary meet me to work through blockers and confirm that the 2030 date is still the target?
Minister reply
We are determined to start Hinchingbrooke in 2027-28. We would be delighted to receive representations about his frustrations with the delivery of this project.
-
Question
My grandmother and countless others have faced long wait times at Milton Keynes hospital due to Tory neglect. Can I ask that he continues to work with me and other MPs across Milton Keynes to ensure we get spades in the ground as soon as possible?
Minister reply
Pre-construction work is ongoing, with construction due to begin in 2027-28.
-
Question
Will the Secretary of State apologise for the delay introduced to the Hillingdon hospital project which was under pre-construction work? Will he consider lobbying the Chancellor and Prime Minister to cancel the Chagos islands deal?
Minister reply
We are delivering the Hillingdon hospital project, beginning construction in 2027-28. People should judge the contrast between a Labour Government who are delivering and Conservative Members who made promises but did not follow through.
-
Question
Will he reassure my constituents that the money has been found and allocated for the new women's and children's hospital in Milton Keynes?
Minister reply
The funding package will be delivered as long as there is a Labour Government, ensuring credible and deliverable timelines.
-
Question
My constituents in North Devon were let down by the previous Government, and they will be utterly dismayed to find that the remotest hospital in England has been passed over again for essential repairs—it is now beyond 2035. Does the Department understand that if critical care and operating theatre facilities begin to fail within the next five years, as expected, there is no alternative critical care for patients for over 40 miles?
Minister reply
I am grateful to the hon. Member for his question. I can tell his constituents that, since his arrival, he has been absolutely dogged in pursuit of health and care investment in his community. The funding is there, and it will be there for as long as there is a Labour Government. In the meantime, we would be happy to work with him to make sure that rural communities such as his receive the investment they need.
-
Question
There is no doubt but that this statement will be met with a deal of anger and frustration by my constituents. The hospital in Basingstoke is badly needed, and they are not getting the healthcare they deserve. What confidence can the Secretary of State give my constituents that under our plan, unlike the previous Government’s, they can be confident that Basingstoke hospital will be delivered as we have set out?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. I reassure his constituents that their project has been phased as it has due to constraining factors such as allocation of land and planning issues, but we will deliver the funding needed for their hospital.
-
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s clarification on the timing of the new Sutton specialist hospital in my constituency. The current situation at Epsom and St Helier university hospitals NHS trust is not sustainable. Could the Secretary of State set out how he intends to reduce waiting lists in Reigate, Redhill, Banstead and our villages in the short term in light of the delay?
Minister reply
I can reassure the hon. Member that the hospital is due to start construction from 2032 to 2034. On cutting waiting times, we have published this Government’s elective reform plan so that we can deliver the 18-week standard for referral to treatment.
-
Question
Trust in the delivery of healthcare for my constituents has been damaged by 14 years of failed NHS policies. Although the delay confirmed today is disappointing, we welcome the honesty and work to mitigate impacts of Tory failure. Will the Secretary of State confirm that funding for remediation and maintenance works will be made available to get our hospital to its wave 2 start line?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my parliamentary neighbour for his representation and reassure him and his constituents that thanks to capital allocation at the Budget, we will invest more in capital than at any point since Labour was last in office. We recognise the capital funding pressures right across the NHS estate.