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NHS Capital Spending
04 March 2026
Lead MP
Bobby Dean
Carshalton and Wallington
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Karin Smyth
Tags
NHSMental Health
Word Count: 13951
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Bobby Dean raised concerns about nhs capital spending in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Dean asks the Minister to update the House on the current level of capital underspend, where it is occurring, and what actions are being taken. He also inquires about the possibility of trusts carrying forward unspent capital to future years and whether this will exist beyond the current spending review period. Dean further requests information on the delivery of the new hospital programme and whether any schemes will be reconsidered for movement between waves. He also asks about the Government's plans to reform the capital allocation system to allow multi-year planning and reinvestment of trust surpluses permanently. The hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington calls for increased capital funding to repair, upgrade, and expand NHS buildings and facilities to support long-term productivity and better patient care.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Bobby Dean is concerned about the underinvestment in NHS buildings, equipment, and technical infrastructure, noting that maintenance backlogs have doubled from around £6 billion in 2015 to over £13 billion in 2024. He highlights that the UK invested around a third less in health capital during the 2010s compared to other nations, resulting in fewer CT and MRI scanners per capita and lower bed capacity. Dean also points to the slow approvals process for capital bids and the uncertainty caused by the yearly cycle of Treasury CDEL rules, which prevent trusts from carrying forward unspent capital. The hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington is concerned about the impact of insufficient capital spending on NHS infrastructure, highlighting the issues such as crumbling buildings, service disruptions, and the need for digital transformation. He noted that £4.3 billion was raided from capital budgets between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019, resulting in a backlog maintenance bill of more than £11.6 billion, and services were disrupted at 13 hospitals a day in 2022-2023.
Alex Brewer
Lib Dem
North East Hampshire
He agreed that delays in rebuilding Basingstoke hospital could result in increased maintenance costs and a waste of public money, suggesting that rebuilds should be brought forward.
Caroline Voaden
Lib Dem
South Devon
She emphasised the need for NHS capital policy to support not only buildings and maintenance backlogs but also clinical equipment and technology for safe, high-quality care, citing Torbay and South Devon NHS foundation trust's experience with robotic surgery systems.
Clive Jones
Lib Dem
Wokingham
Clive Jones highlighted the national scandal of crumbling NHS hospitals, citing Frimley Park hospital as an example with severe RAAC issues. He criticised years of Conservative under-investment and Labour's further delays in the new hospital programme, which would cost billions to keep old hospitals operational. He mentioned at least 5,000 incidents caused by crumbling infrastructure between 2019 and 2025, affecting a minimum of 26,000 patients. Jones also drew attention to outdated medical equipment and the urgent need for investment in primary care facilities.
Evans
Lab
Hinckley and Bosworth
Dr Evans defended the situation despite acknowledging the difficulties faced by the NHS due to insufficient capital spending. He noted the need for reforms and improvements in the NHS estate management.
Gareth Thomas
Lab Co-op
Harrow West
Gareth Thomas discussed the positive impact of NHS capital investment on the White House in Harrow, which will become a neighbourhood care centre offering expanded GP services and care opportunities for students. He highlighted the 22% increase in GP appointments in Harrow since July 2024 and the need for further investment at Northwick Park hospital, particularly for a new 36-bed critical care unit to address the shortage of critical care beds and improve patient care. Thomas also mentioned the importance of funding for cancer care services at Northwick Park. Gareth Thomas discussed the importance of improving mental health services and investing in community care to shift care from hospitals to the community.
Gideon Amos
Lib Dem
Taunton and Wellington
Mr Amos highlighted the dire state of the maternity unit at Musgrove Park hospital, citing the Conservative government's failure to deliver on its promise of 40 new hospitals. He mentioned a £4.3 billion cut in NHS capital spending under the previous Conservative government, impacting hospital conditions. He urged for the Government to meet and expedite the planning work for the maternity unit project, which is currently scheduled for 2033. Gideon Amos raised concerns about maternity services in his area and the need for investment in digital transformation.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
He congratulated the hon. Member on securing the debate and agreed that the NHS needs to better spend the money currently deployed to modernise the organisation.
Helen Maguire
Lib Dem
Epsom and Ewell
The Minister is making an important point about the vital need for capital funding in the NHS. St Helier hospital is falling apart, and patients are being affected. The hospital build programme has been delayed another three years, and there has been lots of goodwill in the debate. We are looking for additional investment in the A&E.
Ian Roome
Lib Dem
North Devon
Ian Roome thanked the Minister for visiting North Devon District Hospital but expressed concern about the hospital's 10-year wait for capital funding and its £40 million maintenance backlog. He questioned the financial viability of keeping the hospital running and highlighted the disparity in benefits for patients in communities that receive capital funding sooner versus those that do not. Roome asked the Minister to explain the cost estimates for the hospital rebuild and to consider North Devon for any available capital funding. Ian Roome raised concerns about the numbers related to the new hospital programme in his area and the need for investment in mental health services.
James Naish
Con
Rushcliffe
He pointed out that £50 million of developer funds are sitting unused in his local authority and called for urgent spending of these funds in the local community to support health, infrastructure, schools, and other needs. He highlighted three critical incidents at Queen's medical centre due to A&E capacity issues, stressing the reputational risk to the NHS. James Naish mentioned a health centre in East Leake, Rushcliffe, which has been talked about for over 20 years and has clinical rooms that are out of action due to lack of investment. He argued that even in relatively affluent areas, there is a need for infrastructure investment to improve health centre conditions. James Naish spoke about the need for improved emergency care capacity and the importance of supporting integrated care boards in prioritising local schemes.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Shannon provided a Northern Ireland perspective, mentioning the closure of a minor injuries unit in his constituency and the investment in the Ulster hospital. He discussed the need for sustained strategic capital investment for the NHS and suggested reducing middle management roles and employing full-time nurses instead of agency staff to save money.
Josh Babarinde
Lib Dem
Eastbourne
Josh Babarinde highlighted the deteriorating state of Eastbourne District General Hospital, noting that key services have been lost to other hospitals and that the hospital faces a £500 million maintenance backlog. He cited a power outage on January 6th that forced staff to use their iPhones to light the way and led to cancelled operations and a closed midwifery unit. Babarinde called for the urgent replacement of the failing electricity substation and appealed to the Minister for a meeting to accelerate investment. Josh Babarinde highlighted the need for investment in primary care buildings and neighbourhood health centres to shift care from hospitals to the community.
Lisa Smart
Lib Dem
Hazel Grove
My hon. Friend highlighted the £138 million repairs backlog at Stepping Hill hospital, which affects the functionality of lifts, meal delivery to patients, and the mobility of visiting relatives.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Discussed both positive and negative impacts of NHS capital spending, highlighting a £24 million investment in a community diagnostic centre and a cancelled £10 million day case investment due to delays and financial issues. Raised concerns about the transparency and value for money in new investment models and questioned the Government's alignment with their plan. Asked the Minister to give way.
Luke Taylor
Lib Dem
Sutton and Cheam
Luke Taylor highlighted the ongoing issues at St Helier hospital, including long wait times and inadequate facilities. He shared stories of constituents' experiences, such as a husband waiting 54 hours in A&E and an elderly woman waiting 10 hours after a suspected heart attack. Taylor stressed the need for investment to expand and refurbish the emergency department and the urgent need for a specialist emergency care hospital promised by the previous government. Asked about the previous Government's 40 new hospitals programme and inquired about the transparency and funding allocation for that initiative, noting that the funding had not arrived and residents were still suffering from the lack of investment. Luke Taylor discussed the need for investment in urgent emergency care and diagnostics to reduce waiting times and improve care for patients.
Steve Darling
Lib Dem
Torbay
Steve Darling highlighted the significant challenges faced by Torbay hospital, including over 700 sewage leaks in clinical areas affecting patient care. He criticised the previous Conservative Government for failing to invest adequately, leading to a crumbling building and the need for scaffolding to prevent structural damage. Despite some welcome investments in the emergency department and endoscopy unit, 85% of the hospital estate is not up to standard, with only half of the hospital supported by the £350 million investment. Darling also questioned the impact of Brexit, the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine on the spending power of capital programmes, which he stated had halved since the pandemic. Steve Darling highlighted the need for continued investment in the new hospital programme and expressed concerns about the sustainability of the programme.
Government Response
Karin Smyth
Government Response
Karin Smyth responded by acknowledging the concerns raised and providing details on the government's commitment to increase capital health spending by £15.2 billion by the end of the spending review period in 2029-30. She highlighted the £30 billion commitment in capital funding over five years to support the day-to-day maintenance and repair of NHS estates, with an additional five years of funding certainty. She also mentioned the £1.9 billion for urgent emergency care, £1.5 billion for diagnostics, £473 million for mental health services, and £300 million in capital investment for technology. The minister assured that the government will prioritise core and safety technology equipment, streamline processes, and support the development of 120 neighbourhood health centres by 2030.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.