Business of the House

Helen Jones Excerpts

Thursday 28th May 2015 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

I extend our sympathy and support to those who have lost their job. It is never welcome news for any of us when we lose a significant local employer in our constituency—it has a really challenging effect on those involved. At least they are facing the challenge of finding a new job in a labour market that is improving rather than one that is getting worse, where the opportunities are better than they were. The hon. Lady can use a number of the means at her disposal, such as Adjournment debates and oral questions, to raise issues related to her constituency. I know she will take the opportunity to do so, and this is one such opportunity.

[Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab)]

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has recently tried to borrow £15 million to cover its day-to-day running costs and is going to run a £15 million deficit this year. Will the Leader of the House arrange for the Health Secretary to come to this House and make a statement about the dire state of hospital finances in many parts of our country, which has been directly caused by the arrangements set up under the Government’s Health and Social Care Act 2012 and by their failure to fund the NHS properly, and which is now having an impact on patient care?

[Chris Grayling]

I have to say, the chutzpah of Opposition MPs on this issue is enormous. We are the party that has continued to increase spending on the NHS. We committed in the general election to increasing spending on the NHS. I remind the hon. Lady that the front runner in her party’s leadership contest is the person who told us that we were irresponsible for increasing NHS spending.