Autumn Budget Impact 2024-11-19
2024-11-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Labour party is concerned about the potential impact of the autumn Budget on NHS funding in Scotland.
What assessment has his Department made of the potential impact of the autumn Budget 2024 on health and care services?
Thanks to the decisions that the Chancellor took in the Budget, we are able to provide an additional £26 billion to give the NHS the funding it needs. This will support the NHS in England, enabling it to deliver an extra 40,000 appointments a week to cut waiting lists. Of course, for my hon. Friend and her constituents, the Budget has given Scotland the biggest real-terms increase in funding through the Barnett formula since devolution began.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific impact on health and care services was not detailed, only general increases were mentioned
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Labour party is urging the Scottish Government to utilise the increased NHS funding to improve GP, dental and hospital services.
Will he join me in urging the Scottish Government to ensure that the funding reaches the frontline and creates additional appointments in GP, dental and hospital services?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question. It is thanks to the people of Scotland sending 37 Labour Members of Parliament here at the last election—not only have they shown that they value the NHS and are demanding change, but they voted for change—that we are now delivering that change through the Budget. I say to Scottish Government Ministers that, as they know, I said before the election that all roads lead to Westminster and that we all suffered under the Conservative Government, but this year that road is carrying an extra £1.5 billion to the Scottish Government and next year it will carry an extra £3.4 billion to the Scottish Government, so they have no excuse not to act.
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Assessment & feedback
The response was focused on defending Labour's role in delivering change rather than directly addressing how funding should be used
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the need for infrastructure and A&E services improvement in Solihull borough due to an anticipated population increase.
Will he agree to meet us to see how we can make this Budget work for the people of Solihull?
I know, not least because of the mismanagement of the NHS during the last 14 years, that communities right across the country, including the hon. Gentleman's constituents in Solihull, are struggling with poor services and crumbling estates. We would be happy to receive representations from him, but he has to level with his constituents. If he wants money to be spent in his community, he must support the investment and be honest about the fact that he supports the means of raising it.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer discussed honesty regarding funding without confirming a meeting or specific commitments
Response accuracy