What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The National Health Service is facing a national crisis.

Over the last few weeks we have seen what cuts mean for local communities.

The publication of local ‘Sustainability and Transformation’ plans has revealed A&E departments at risk of closure, bed numbers likely to fall, and services to be rationed.

The truth is the policies pursued by Theresa May and her predecessor have led to the biggest cash crisis in the NHS’s 68-year history.

There is now a consensus among hospital bosses, clinicians and health experts that the NHS needs more money.

Wednesday is a chance for the Government to redeem itself, to do the right thing by our NHS.

That is why today I am setting out my three demands for Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement .

Firstly, the Chancellor should respond to the growing body of evidence and voices saying the NHS has not been given the money it needs.

Secondly, we need an end to the scandal of crumbling hospitals . The backlog of key maintenance repairs in the health service has now hit almost £5 billion.

Out-of-date equipment, leaking roofs and broken heating has become a frightening reality of the NHS under this Government.

(Image: Getty)

Finally, we must shine a light on one of this government’s greatest betrayals: the collapse of social care.

We have all read the stories of frail elderly people who have been abused, neglected or left forgotten by a system that is no longer fit for purpose.

The Treasury must bring forward the extra money for social care it promised, and put in place a longer-term settlement to ensure the system is sustainable.

The truth is the NHS doesn’t just need a five-year plan; it needs a 25-year plan too.

The solutions might be complicated, but in the coming years we need to answer one very simple question: how can we guarantee the NHS for the next generation?

I am determined that it will Labour that leads this debate. Labour created the NHS, Labour saved the NHS, and Labour will rebuild the NHS in 2020.

But this week the NHS is in the Chancellor’s hands. I urge him to do what is right and to protect its future.