LIBERAL Democrats in West Worcestershire say they will hold ‘the government’s feet to the fire’ to ensure funding for the NHS is delivered following announcements in the budget.
Labour’s first budget in more than 14 years, which released yesterday (Wednesday, October 30), unveiled a £22.6bn increase in day-to-day health budget spending ahead of its 10 year plan to reform the NHS coming next Spring.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced the government was targeting 2 per cent productivity growth next year through increased spending.
A £3.1bn increase in the capital budget is expected including £1bn for repairs and upgrades to hospitals as well as £1.5bn for new beds and testing capactity.
The Liberal Democrats have said the extra funding for the NHS in the budget must now be delivered for local residents, including through extra GP and dentist appointments as well as more support to cut cancer care wait times.
West Worcestershire’s Lib Dems have also called for urgent cross-party talks on social care, adding that fixing social care will also be crucial to take pressure off local health services and give older people the care they need.
Social care funding for local governments is expected to increase by £600m, as part of a £1.3bn grant funding scheme announced within the budget.
Responding to the Budget, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for West Worcestershire, Dan Boatright-Greene said: “Liberal Democrats will hold this Government’s feet to the fire on the promises they’ve made on the NHS, so people here in Worcestershire can finally see a GP or NHS dentist when they need one.
“We’re campaigning for urgent, real improvements for our local health services. Now this Government needs to deliver, anything less will be a total disappointment.
“Too many people are left waiting for treatment, unable to access the care they need, worrying about what might happen.
“People were fed up with years of broken promises from the Conservatives. This new Government can’t now kick the can down the road.”
In her autumn budget speech, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, pointed out that her cabinet were going to have to make ‘tough decisions’ but the ‘right decisions.
The chancellor added: ” This is the largest real-terms growth in day-to-day NHS spending outside of covid since 2010.
“The reforms that we are delivering in our NHS, we can now begin to bring waiting lists down more quickly and move towards our target for waiting times to be no longer than 18 weeks.”
