Oral QuestionDepartment of Health and Social Care

What steps he has taken to increase health and social care coverage in rural communities.

Tabled: 12 February 2026Answered: 24 February 2026

Asked by

Torcuil Crichton

LabourNa h-Eileanan an Iar

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Answer from Hansard

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Government and Labour Members, may I associate myself with your remarks? Members from right across this House will share those sentiments. As the Prime Minister made clear at Cabinet this morning, and as the Foreign Secretary is making clear in Kyiv, we will stand with Ukraine, whatever is thrown at it, until it has the freedom and security that it deserves. This Government are restoring the founding promise of the national health service: to bring quality healthcare to all, regardless of how much they earn or where they live. New funding for GPs is being prioritised for areas where the need is greatest, and we are sending more cancer specialists to rural hospitals. As we modernise the health service, the NHS app and NHS Online will bring world-class healthcare to the most remote corners of our country at the touch of a button—lots done, and lots more to do.