Tag Archives: Labour

The latest NHS situation reports for A&E performance have been published today and show Theresa May’s winter crisis stretching into spring.

·          Emergency admissions in the week ending 12 March were the highest they have been so far this winter and A&E attendances in the week ending 12 March were the highest since December.

·          In the week ending 12 March, there were 19 temporary diverts from one A&E to another to provide temporary respite. Overall, there have been around 84 per cent more diverts this winter than last winter.

·          In the week ending 12 March, 34 different trusts reported serious operational pressures at some point. On average, 20 trusts each day reported serious operational pressures.

·          Last week, 13 trusts had average bed occupancy over 99 per cent – up from 12 in the previous week.

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said:

“Standards for NHS patients have collapsed this winter because Theresa May just hasn’t given the health service the resources and the priority it needs.

“It beggars belief that such pressure is still being seen on A&E after months of crisis – it is a sign of a wider system creaking under the strain of Tory neglect.

“The Prime Minister needs to get a grip and make clear what action she’s going to take so that patients and their families never have to suffer a winter like this ever again.”

Cat Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, commenting on 45forthe45th Legacy report published today, said:

“It is shocking that over 70 per cent of young people have never experienced political education in school, college or university.

“As the Tories take the country down a path of Brexit chaos, it is essential that young people are educated about the civic and public institutions which frame our laws. Not only will this increase voter engagement and turnout, but it will make government more accountable for its actions.”

Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, responding to Theresa May’s speech to the Conservative Party Spring Conference, said:

“The PM claims she has a plan for a fairer, more ‘united Britain’ but she’s pursing an agenda which will do the opposite.

“As their shambolic Budget has shown, the Tories have no plan to stand up for ordinary people and their promises aren’t worth the paper they’re written on – they break them whenever it suits them. Under them those at the top get tax breaks, while middle and low earners are worse off, targeted for cuts and tax increases. Far from building a stronger Britain, the Tories are undermining what makes our country great, running the NHS down, squeezing our schools and crushing aspiration. And their shambolic approach to Brexit risks a bad deal for Britain, meaning we’ll all be worse off.

“Britain is worse off under the Tories.”

Julie Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister for Care in the Community, commenting on the 20p increase in prescription charges, said:

“It is disappointing to see the Government increasing prescription charges. While 20p may not seem a lot it will impact on those people who are already struggling with the rising cost of living. At the same time the Government is also increasing patient charges for NHS dental care, as well as raising charges for wigs and fabric supports.

“The rise in prescription charges is a reflection of this Government’s financial mismanagement of the National Health Service. At a time when the cost of living continues to rise the Government ought to be doing much more to help people with the cost of healthcare.”

Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, commenting on the unravelling of the Tory Budget, said:

“The Tories are in a mess, riven by infighting and failure and disarray.

“They have embarrassed themselves over the Budget, they still have no answers on Brexit and they’re fighting between themselves rather than fixing the problems.

“Theresa May says she has a plan and is sticking to it, but almost every day we see another promise broken or another change of heart. Flagship policies are being delayed or abandoned altogether while working people across this country bear the brunt of the Tories’ incompetence.

“It is now clearer than ever that Theresa May cannot give Britain the change we need. Working people deserve better than Tory failure – only a Labour Government will stand up for them and their families.”

Ends