Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Wednesday 4th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The Government will look carefully at what the Procedure Committee has to say about reforms to the estimates process, which is ultimately a matter for the House.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

6. What steps the Government are taking to facilitate the sharing of best practice with the Scottish Government on public spending on health.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

Health spending is a devolved matter and the Scottish Government are responsible for the NHS in Scotland. It is up to the Scottish Government to decide how best to use their funding and deliver health services in Scotland. The UK Government are happy to share good practice with the Scottish Government to help ensure that people living in Scotland receive high-quality healthcare. Discussions between UK Health Ministers take place where necessary.

[Andrew Bridgen]

Has the Minister seen the recent Audit Scotland report which shows that the Scottish Government have completely failed to pass on health spending increases instigated by the United Kingdom Government, and that that has resulted in a 0.7% real-terms reduction in health spending in Scotland between 2008-09 and 2014-15?

[Mr Gauke]

I have seen that report, and my hon. Friend is right to bring it to the House’s attention. The fact is that a Conservative Government have shown more commitment to public spending on the NHS—[Interruption]—in England than an SNP-led Government have shown in Scotland.