Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Lavery Excerpts

Tuesday 21st October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Ian Lavery (Blyth and Ashington) (Lab)]

12. What steps he is taking to ensure that frontline NHS services are supported following the potential introduction of new public-private partnership contracts.

[The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)]

Let me be clear: this Government will always protect the NHS and have the service free at the point of use for everyone. This Government are determined to shift health out of hospitals and into the community, as set out in the 10-year plan, and neighbourhood health services will be fundamental to delivering this shift, so it is right that we look at a range of options to provide the best care for people across the country. Let me reassure hon. Members that all proposals are subject to robust, value-for-money assessments to ensure taxpayers get the best possible return on investments in our health services.

[Ian Lavery]

May I begin by congratulating the Secretary of State on his actions in trying to repair our cherished NHS following 14 years of Tory destruction? We must learn from past mistakes. The private finance initiative was a huge, expensive mistake—an absolute disaster—with £80 billion repaid for an investment of £13 billion. Will the Minister reassure the House that the lessons of PFI have been well learned, and that they are well and truly in the past and in the dustbin?

[Karin Smyth]

I thank my hon. Friend for his words of encouragement and congratulation. I assure him that lessons have been learned; we will ensure value for taxpayers’ money in all future proposals.