A Plan for the NHS and Social Care

Chris Bryant Lab

Rhondda and Ogmore

Asked whether his amendment had been selected for the debate.

Chris Bryant Lab

Rhondda

Bryant mentioned the importance of legislation regarding brain injury as highlighted in his amendment.

Jim Shannon DUP

Strangford

Shannon congratulated Leicester City for winning the FA cup, sharing in the victory with Ashworth.

James Cartlidge Con

South Suffolk

Cartlidge questioned whether Ashworth would rule out using the independent sector to reduce elective surgery waiting lists entirely.

Eleanor Laing Con

Richmond Park

Order was called by Eleanor Laing to clarify the amendments selected by Mr Speaker. She informed the House that amendment (e) from Mr Bryant was not selected, while amendments (g) and (i) were selected for discussion.

Chris Bryant Lab

Rhondda and Ogmore

Urges consideration for individuals with traumatic brain injuries who have not received adequate neurorehabilitation due to the pandemic.

James Cartlidge Con

South Suffolk

Raises an example of Ipswich Hospital's use of private sector facilities to increase ICU bed capacity, questioning the risks of excluding private healthcare from NHS operations.

Jon Ashworth

Disputes claims that he was involved in PFI projects during his time with Labour. Defends efforts made by Labour to bring waiting lists down to their lowest level.

Ben Spencer Con

Runnymede and Weybridge

Inquires about the timeline for legislative reform of the Mental Health Act, highlighting the need for timely implementation to benefit patients.

Philippa Whitford

Paid tribute to health and social care staff for their work during the pandemic. Emphasised the need to focus on staff wellbeing and recovery, citing concerns about NHS workforce challenges post-Brexit and the low pay rise for NHS staff in England compared to Scotland. Criticised the 1% pay rise as demotivating for staff who feel undervalued. Advocated for a higher pay rise of 4%, similar to that in Scotland, and highlighted the importance of investment in nurse training through bursaries. Raised concerns over the repeal of certain aspects of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 without clear details on how commissioning will work. Criticised the lack of detail in the health and care Bill regarding procurement and its potential to undermine integrated public NHS services in Scotland. Called for a social care Bill, emphasising the importance of care staff during the pandemic and the need for policies that support those living in care homes. Highlighted the Scottish Government's Feeley review which proposed a human rights approach to social care and outlined plans for a national care service. Advocated for a different economic model focusing on sustainability and wellbeing rather than relentless growth in consumption.

Jeremy Hunt Con

Godalming and Ash

Emphasises the importance of safety and quality in NHS care, highlighting his introduction of Ofsted-style ratings for hospitals, care homes, and GP surgeries. Critiques current integrated care systems as lacking outward focus on patient needs. Supports reforms based on Secretary of State's commitment to prioritise safety and quality but expresses concern over omissions regarding social care reform and workforce planning.

Chris Bryant Lab

Rhondda and Ogmore

Argues for the necessity of a Brain Injury Act, discussing cases such as Alison's brain injury from a fall and Mark's exposure to carbon monoxide. Proposes five key aspects: neuro-rehabilitation guarantee, concussion protocols in sports, prevention through legislation on carbon monoxide poisoning, research investment into understanding brain injuries better, and training public bodies in brain injury awareness.

Damian Green Con

Ashford

Welcomes the Government's commitment to greater integration in the NHS and social care, highlighting the need for technology to improve communication between different healthcare systems. Emphasises the importance of giving social care a voice at decision-making tables and suggests funding should come from national taxation rather than local sources. Advocates for a 10-year plan for social care and better use of existing technologies to enable people to live in their own homes longer.

Anum Qaisar-Javed SNP

Airdrie and Shotts

Makes her maiden speech, thanking constituents for electing her. Praises the dedication of NHS staff and highlights the role of overseas workers in maintaining healthcare services. Calls for Scotland to have control over its immigration policies to better suit local needs.

Stephen Crabb Con

Preseli Pembrokeshire

Pays tribute to NHS teams in west Wales, particularly those at Withybush Hospital. Criticises the idea of a single national health service across the UK due to increasing divergence in policies and governance arrangements among different parts of the country. Advocates for better co-ordination and communication, stronger data sharing protocols, and more unified inspection regimes to create a more unified healthcare system without undermining devolution.

Virendra Sharma Lab

Ealing, Southall

Highlights the severe crisis in social care with 40,000 older people dying in care homes since the start of the pandemic. Criticises the Government's lack of action on fixing the broken system despite numerous reviews and consultations over the past two decades. Emphasises the need for cross-party discussions to find solutions and urges local government to be given resources to run a cohesive social care system.

Nigel Evans Con

Ribble Valley

Acknowledged Robin Millar's speech and provided a brief comment on 'cynefin', a Welsh term, before moving to another speaker.

Munira Wilson Lib Dem

Twickenham

Critiqued the Government for not prioritising social care in the Queen’s Speech despite their mandate. She highlighted the need for cross-party talks and urgent action on workforce shortages, emphasising the importance of having enough healthcare professionals to address both short-term and long-term challenges.

Douglas Ross Con

Moray

Congratulated fellow MPs who made their maiden speeches. Emphasised the remarkable work done by NHS staff in Scotland during the pandemic, particularly focusing on his local area of Moray where they saw a spike in cases and responded through increased testing and vaccinations. He highlighted the success of a vaccination centre that converted a derelict retail unit into an operational facility.

Liz Twist Lab

Blaydon and Consett

Emphasised the need for a comprehensive social care plan including caps on costs, valuing workers, parity with NHS staff, support for unpaid carers. Praises NHS staff but criticises 1% pay rise proposal, calls for catch-up on delayed treatments such as cancer tests and mental health treatment improvements.

Paul Beresford

Called for reforming the procedure to introduce fluoridation of community water supplies, citing dental problems among children in deprived areas. Proposed central Government involvement in implementation process, curtailment of lengthy consultation processes, and recognition of benefits from fluoridated water.

Paul Blomfield

Called for a comprehensive new model for social care, similar to the NHS, with high-standard residential and domiciliary care ensuring no one is denied support due to affordability issues. Advocated for raising the status of carers, recognising the importance of unpaid carers, and specifically addressing needs of young carers.

Richard Graham

Proposed a weekly partnership between NHS trusts, local council leaders, MPs and public health officials to address pandemic-related issues. Also suggested using hypothecation as a means of linking increases in taxation directly to improved health and social care services, proposing the creation of a dedicated fund.

Barbara Keeley Lab

Worsley and Eccles South

This is a Queen's Speech that lacks the ambition to deliver transformative change. Despite repeated promises, the Government have no plans for how to fix major challenges like insecure and low-paid work, NHS backlogs, and climate emergency. They continue to delay social care reform and break their promises. Unpaid carers received only 45,000 respite cares in 2019-20 despite 13.6 million unpaid carers nationally. The Government's approach is letting down the people who need care.

James Cartlidge Con

South Suffolk

The NHS and social care staff in South Suffolk have performed an extraordinary job, especially during the vaccine roll-out. Community pharmacies, the voluntary sector for mental health, and the independent sector must be part of delivering healthcare to maintain diversity of provision. He criticised Labour's reluctance to work with the private sector.

Stella Creasy Lab Co-op

Walthamstow

The amendment aims to address forgotten groups such as children who lose parents and victims of domestic abuse. The courts have ruled that denying financial support to orphans based on marital status is wrong, yet the Government has not acted. She highlighted cases like Joana and Ros where decisions made by parents affect their children's well-being negatively.

John Lamont Con

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Welcomes the measures set out in the Gracious Address for national recovery, emphasising the Government's commitment to the Union and investment in transport infrastructure. Acknowledges the NHS's efforts during vaccine roll-out and highlights the SNP’s desire for Scottish independence. Congratulates colleagues on their election performance.

Debbie Abrahams Lab

Oldham East and Saddleworth

Raises concerns about dementia care reform, highlighting excess deaths among people with dementia during the pandemic due to lack of protection for care homes. Argues for universal free social care through progressive taxation and challenges the Government on health inequalities.

Philip Hollobone Ind

Welcomes the NHS proposals in the Queen’s Speech, emphasising the hospital building programme's commitment to Kettering General Hospital but presses for value-for-money integration of two funding streams. Advocates for an early progress project designation and flexible funding approach.

Mike Kane Lab

Wythenshawe and Sale East

Highlights the strategic regeneration framework at Wythenshawe Hospital, aiming to make it a leader in life sciences with world-class research and innovation facilities. Emphasises inward investments, high-skilled jobs, and medical park development opportunities.

James Davies

Supports the Government’s legislative agenda to tackle obesity, proposes calorie labelling for alcohol products, advocates for UK-wide comparable healthcare data and independent inspection mechanisms, calls for better access to specialist healthcare in Wales.

Margaret Greenwood

Critiques the Government's White Paper on NHS reforms as reckless, irresponsible, and damaging. Expresses concern over potential conflicts of interest and deprofessionalisation. Calls for a pause in the reorganisation process until after all covid restrictions are lifted and full public consultation is carried out.

Craig Whittaker Conservative Party

Calder Valley

Questions plans to ban advertisements before 9 pm for food high in fat, sugar, and salt. Argues that the ban could negatively impact jobs, business revenue, and online advertising sectors without effectively addressing obesity.

Neale Hanvey SNP

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath

Expressed concern about the Government's failure to understand the interdependencies of care services, criticising the lack of progress on social care reform. Emphasised the risk of expecting integrated care systems without adequate funding and resources, highlighting the impact in Scotland.

Dehenna Davison Con

Bishop Auckland

Celebrated the UK's vaccine roll-out success, highlighted the importance of local healthcare provision, and expressed support for mental health reform under the Mental Health Act 1983. Called for continued investment in A&E services at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Nigel Evans Con

Rhuddlan

Acknowledged a technical issue with audio quality during Davison's speech, did not provide additional position on the debate topic.

Alex Cunningham Lab

Stockton North

Called for improved funding and investment in NHS services in Teesside, including building a new hospital. Discussed health inequalities, citing figures showing higher rates of asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression compared to national averages.

Danny Kruger Reform

East Wiltshire

Emphasised the need for profound reform in the NHS, citing examples of constituent stories to illustrate systemic failures. Supported digital advancements but stressed their focus should be on enabling more face-to-face consultations and better internal communication. Welcomed steps towards integrated care services and thanked the Health Secretary for announcing a new integrated care centre in Devizes.

Lisa Cameron SNP

East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow

Congratulated NHS staff on their efforts during the pandemic. Highlighted the need for mental health parity of esteem in proposed legislation and raised concerns about potential sidelining of mental health services due to lack of statutory requirements for mental health representatives on integrated care system boards. Stressed the importance of addressing children's mental health needs post-pandemic and called for a disability-inclusive recovery plan.

Elliot Colburn Con

Carshalton and Wallington

Welcomed the Queen’s Speech, which outlines plans to deliver on manifesto commitments regarding health and social care. Praised the efforts of community pharmacists during the pandemic and called for their expanded roles in strategic healthcare delivery. Emphasised the importance of integration, addressing pre-pandemic challenges and those exacerbated by it, reforming social care, and continuing vaccination efforts.

Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op

York Central

Criticised the proposed reorganisation of the NHS as structurally unsound without vital foundations such as public health, mental wellbeing, and social care White Papers. Highlighted ongoing issues including operational backlogs, elderly care problems, mental health challenges, and embedded inequality. Called for better national and local accountability to ensure transparency and better outcomes.

Suzanne Webb Con

Stourbridge

Supports the Prime Minister's agenda of levelling up and building back better. Emphasises protection of green belt, regeneration in Lye town, job growth, and bridging skills gap with Mayor Andy Street's help. Acknowledges NHS workers' dedication during the pandemic, despite financial pressures on the NHS; welcomes Government’s largest funding settlement for NHS (£33.9 billion yearly increase by 2024). Supports health and care Bill focusing on preventative measures and tackling obesity (ban on junk food TV ads post-9pm); mental health funding boost of £2.3 billion welcomed. Welcomes social care reform plans but asks for protection mechanisms to shield taxpayers' money, with a threshold above £100,000.

Richard Burgon Lab

Leeds East

Critiques Government's inaction on social care and tax system rigged in favour of the super-rich. Calls for measures to make the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share: windfall tax on companies like Amazon, wealth tax on super-rich, and increased taxes on those earning over £125,000 annually. Highlights 4.3 million children in poverty, soaring food bank usage, and UK billionaires’ collective wealth increasing by over £40 billion during the pandemic.

James Wild Con

North West Norfolk

Welcomes commitment to social care reform but highlights challenges including funding, workforce, and future accommodation model. Focuses on urgent modernisation needs of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn due to structural issues; £20 million new funding helps with immediate risks but more is needed (£550 million over a decade). Urges Government support for hospital transformation to meet healthcare requirements and harness innovation.

Taiwo Owatemi Lab

Coventry North West

We need bolder remedies than the weak response proposed by the Government. The pandemic has exposed issues created by ten years of austerity for the NHS, leading to a shortage of 40,000 nurses and 7,000 doctors. We cannot fix the NHS without fixing social care too; millions of older people now fear losing everything they own simply to afford basic care.

Ben Bradley

Welcomes measures in the Queen’s Speech on skills and education as part of the levelling-up agenda. Highlights the importance of decisions regarding HS2, devolution, a freeport, and development corporation for long-term progress in the east midlands. Seeks time scales for social care reform proposals and raises concerns about meddlesome interventions into eating habits.

Paul Bristow

Shares Jonathan Freeman's testimony regarding his mother's struggle with securing proper dementia care and financial support, highlighting systemic issues within the assessment process. Emphasises the need for reform in social care as it is long overdue and raises concerns about bureaucratic delays and lack of transparency.

Jonathan Edwards PC

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

Emphasises the link between wealth and health inequalities, criticising the lack of detail in the Queen's Speech regarding levelling up. Points out a report by Resolution Foundation and London School of Economics indicating prolonged stagnation due to failures in addressing major challenges such as covid recovery, Brexit impacts, green transition, automation, and demographic changes. Highlights the need for constitutional reform, support for those grieving losses from the pandemic, including paid bereavement leave.

Shaun Bailey Con

Harlesden and Dowlais

Supports the Queen's Speech, focusing on NHS staff, vaccination efforts in his communities, and social care. Welcomes investment in primary care but calls for better delivery to ensure people can see their GPs easily. Emphasises the role of technology while acknowledging its limitations.

Mike Amesbury Lab

Weaver Vale

Corrects statements about NHS funding, noting Labour's record investment. Discusses resignation concerns among healthcare workers due to leadership issues during the pandemic crisis. Highlights infrastructure failures in his constituency and lack of support for building safety and flooding incidents.

Darren Henry Con

Broxtowe

I start my short remarks by thanking all NHS and care workers in my Broxtowe constituency for the work that they have done over the past year. There is much to welcome in the Queen’s Speech that will begin to help all areas of the UK to recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic. I welcome the Government’s plans to deliver the health and care Bill, which will put in place better integrated care between the NHS, local government and other partners. Mental health affects all corners of our society and has, for far too long, been overlooked as a priority, which is why I am proud that the Government are ensuring that mental health is at the top of the agenda. The Office for National Statistics has shown that, during the pandemic, mental health has worsened across every age group in the UK, and the number of individuals showing symptoms of depression has doubled. The announcement to boost mental health funding by at least £2.3 billion over the course of this Parliament, as well as transforming mental health services and supporting more people in our communities, is very welcome.

Fleur Anderson Lab

Putney

Once again, despite big promises, we have a Queen’s Speech that just tinkers around the edges. It falls short of what we need for the country and what is needed for my constituents in Putney. I welcome the consultation on a national uniform, such as they have in Wales. I hope that the measure will go through in the next year. One of the biggest issues for my constituents in Putney is social care. On his first day in Downing Street, the Prime Minister promised to fix social care “once and for all”. Twenty-two months later, we have seen nothing. Even before the pandemic, there were 1,628 older people in Putney with unmet social care needs. That translates to 1.5 million people across the country. Adult social-care council budgets have been cut, and it is no surprise that 69% of the public believe that fixing adult social care should be a top priority as we recover from the pandemic. We need a national social care system that is joined up with the NHS, and we need the much-promised dementia moonshot.

Peter Gibson

It is a privilege to be called to speak in today’s debate and to support Her Majesty’s Gracious Address, which sets out a bold, ambitious plan to truly unite and level up every region of our United Kingdom more than a year after the 2019 general election. The Gracious Address sets out how we will recover from the pandemic, supporting our economy and addressing the legacy of covid-19 by improving the health of the nation. Just two weeks ago, the people of Hartlepool added another blue brick in our blue wall. Another great northern town with a proud history has seen the merit of electing a Conservative MP. That was undeniably a vote of confidence in this Prime Minister and his mission to bring about opportunity across our country and turbocharge our recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

Claudia Webbe Lab

Leicester East

The legislative programme lacks ambition and does not address the health, poverty and social inequalities facing Leicester East residents. The NHS is being cut rather than invested in, and there are plans to accelerate privatisation which should be reversed to fund hospitals better. Planning proposals give more powers to developers while delivering less affordable housing, causing overcrowding issues and inequality. Workers at SPS Technologies won their strike against exploitative practices but similar support is needed across the country. The garment industry continues to exploit workers with low wages and unsustainable business models, requiring stronger worker rights and a sustainable fashion industry.

Peter Grant SNP

Gordon

Health services need better integration and coordination but there are concerns about the current Government's ability to deliver due to lack of trust. Suggestions include outlawing extortionate parking charges, abolishing prescription and personal care charges, providing proper living wages for social care staff, and ensuring adequate GP provision. The Scottish National Party has delivered or committed to these in Scotland, highlighting a difference in approach between Scotland and England.

Mary Foy Lab

City of Durham

The NHS and social care sectors are understaffed and underfunded due to Tory austerity and privatisation. The Government’s plan includes further privatisation, real-terms pay cuts for staff, and welcoming private healthcare firms which is not addressing the crisis adequately. There are major shortages in staffing and budget issues in social care, with older people lacking necessary support. A dynamic government is needed to invest in public health and social care services and reward workers properly.

Ian Byrne Lab

Liverpool West Derby

Mr. Byrne paid tribute to NHS workers in Liverpool, expressing concern over the Government's plan for major reorganisation of the NHS, which he believes should terrify citizens who value the current model. He highlighted that 5 million people are waiting for treatment and NHS staff are exhausted while facing proposed real-terms pay cuts. At a meeting with Royal College of Nursing members, he observed visible exhaustion among them, raising concerns about their wellbeing. Mr. Byrne urged the Minister to listen to various campaigns calling for the reorganisation to be halted and for full public consultation. He criticised the Government's proposals as outlined in their White Paper, suggesting they could lead to privatisation, deregulation, and cronyism. Furthermore, he argued that these changes would threaten patient safety and impact NHS workers' pay, terms, and conditions. Mr. Byrne concluded by asking the Government to protect the NHS from reorganisation, give it adequate resources, and grant NHS workers a 15% pay rise.

Angela Rayner Lab

Ashton-under-Lyne

Critiques the Government's failure to address social care adequately in the Queen’s Speech. Emphasises the importance of raising the level of sick pay and expanding coverage for all carers. Also discusses the need for a comprehensive plan to protect workers, ban zero-hours contracts, and improve employment rights. Furthermore, criticises the focus on voter ID laws and the ineffective levelling-up agenda.

Edward Argar Con

Melton and Syston

Welcomed the new Shadow Secretary of State, acknowledged the collective effort in combating the pandemic, highlighted progress in the vaccination programme, emphasised the need to learn from experiences to build a healthier nation, outlined an ambitious health and care Bill aimed at integration, reduction of bureaucracy, and strengthening accountability. Emphasised the funding commitment (£92 billion) for healthcare recovery, addressed criticisms regarding diagnostics, capital spending, and private sector involvement, and commended the government's vision compared to the opposition's lack of ideas.

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A Plan for the NHS and Social Care

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