Oral Answers to Questions

Gurinder Singh Josan Excerpts

Tuesday 14th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Wes Streeting]

I am delighted that, as well as announcing the £10 million needed to purchase the new site for the Royal Berkshire, we are investing in the existing estate; that is what local residents deserve. I was delighted to make that announcement last week with our brilliant Labour Reading council team. It once again underlines that Labour councils work much better with a Labour Government, and people should remember that on 7 May.

[Gurinder Singh Josan (Smethwick) (Lab)]

T8. Can I first take this opportunity to wish a very happy Vaisakhi to the Sikhs around the world who are celebrating it? Vaisakhi is a cultural celebration, but it is also the time of the Amrit Sanchar, the baptism ceremony. Residents in my Smethwick constituency are benefiting from the investment in and changes to the NHS introduced by this Labour Government; the benefits include shorter waiting times and shorter ambulance waiting times. Can the Secretary of State tell us what progress has been made in implementing the Government’s 10-year plan for the NHS?

[Wes Streeting]

I wish a happy Vaisakhi to all who are celebrating today.

Let me reassure my hon. Friend that he is absolutely right. As I reported only this morning on BBC West Midlands, we are bringing down waiting lists in his area and across the west midlands, and we will make further and faster progress; that is what a Labour Government do. We are much more able to improve the health of our nation by working with Labour councils across the country.