Joe Robertson

Joe Robertson

Conservative — Isle of Wight East

Speaking in the House of Commons on 5 March 2025

Debate

Department of Health and Social Care

Contribution

I commend my hon. Friend the Member for North Cotswolds (Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown) for his introduction to the debate. I agree with the majority of what I have heard so far. We must understand the context of the large figures announced by the Government. In particular, the £10 billion for the NHS next year sounds like a big figure, but as my colleague and Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon (Layla Moran), was right to inform us, the vast majority of that money—around £8 billion to £9 billion—will be taken up by union pay deals, the national insurance increases brought about by the Chancellor, and inflation. When all the essential costs that the NHS must meet are taken into account, the £10 billion represents a shortfall. The NHS will be able to deliver only if it produces productivity gains. We must understand that £10 billion will not even meet the required costs of the NHS.

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