Wes Streeting

Wes Streeting

Labour — Ilford North

Speaking in the House of Commons on 20 January 2025

Debate

New Hospital Programme Review

Contribution

I will be getting to 42 slightly earlier than the hon. Gentleman, as it is my 42nd birthday tomorrow—I look forward to the cards in the post. More seriously, on the phasing of the programme, we have taken an approach that ensures that we can stand up and look his constituents and others in the eye, and say that we have an affordable programme that can be delivered according to the timetable that is set out. I know people will be disappointed by the length of time it will take and I am genuinely sorry that they were led up the garden path by our predecessors. That is why we have taken an approach that says that honesty is the best policy. We would rather be up front about the length of time and in the meantime ensure we are delivering the investment and reform needed to reduce waiting times and improve primary, community and social care services, so even as work continues to prepare for the Royal Berkshire hospital scheme, his constituents and others across Berkshire will begin to experience an improving NHS under Labour, as opposed to the broken one they experienced under the Conservatives.

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