Oral Answers to Questions

Afzal Khan Excerpts

Tuesday 7th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) (Con)]

5. What progress his Department has made on building 40 new hospitals.

[Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)]

13. What his Department’s (a) budget and (b) timetable is for the delivery of 40 new hospitals.

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

15. What his Department’s (a) budget and (b) timetable is for the delivery of 40 new hospitals.

--- Later in debate ---

[Steve Barclay]

As my hon. Friend knows, I have been to Hillingdon to look at the scheme. I am aware of how essential it is to his local area. He will know that on 22 February, the Prime Minister spoke at Prime Minister’s questions of the Government’s commitment to building 40 new hospitals, and I hope to announce something on that very shortly.

[Afzal Khan]

The conditions at North Manchester General Hospital continue to worsen. Last month, theatres were forced to close for six weeks following a ceiling collapse. It is four years since the Government announced the rebuild under the new hospital programme, but little progress has been made. In January, the leader of Manchester City Council wrote to the Secretary of State offering to host a meeting to discuss the project. Will he commit to accepting the invitation?

[Steve Barclay]

I or another member of the ministerial team will, of course, meet the leader of Manchester council to discuss this. We are making progress. The hon. Gentleman will have seen progress, for example, at the Royal Liverpool and the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, but I confirm our commitment to the 40 hospitals programme and hope to say more on that shortly.