Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary, responding to Theresa May’s remark at the Liaison Committee that the Government will come forward with a long term plan for the NHS this year, said:

“Years of starving the NHS of the funds it needs resulted in the worst winter crisis on record, the ongoing drastic shortage of healthcare staff and the abandoning of minimum legal standards of care which patients are entitled to.

“Labour has repeatedly called for a long term investment plan for the NHS. Unlike the Tories, Labour would fund the NHS by an extra £5 billion this year, end privatisation and secure the sustainable future of social care.

“Now the Prime Minister must put her money where her mouth is. Will the Tories follow Labour’s lead or will it just be more financial squeezes and cuts?”