The Liberal Democrats have said the government’s decision to brief a Budget announcement on NHS funding to the media before Parliament is an “insult” to the millions of people desperate for answers on when they will get their treatment.
Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper tabled an Urgent Question in Parliament today on the issue that was granted by the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. He warned ahead of the debate that the move was unacceptable and that the government “shouldn’t try to run roughshod over this House”.
Speaking in response to Daisy Cooper’s question, Minister Edward Argar failed to provide clarity on where the funding was coming from and said that the details would have to wait until the Budget.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Bypassing Parliament on such a huge announcement about the NHS to avoid scrutiny is an insult to the millions of people desperate for answers on when they will get their treatment.
“The minister today could not even provide clarity about whether this is new funding or where it is coming from. It shows the Conservatives are simply taking people for granted.
“Patients waiting months on end for their operations deserve answers and proper democratic scrutiny, including on how the government will fix the chronic staffing shortages in the NHS.
“Shiny new scanners and super fast broadband are all well and good, but without a clear plan to recruit NHS staff, the country risks facing an epidemic of empty wards.”