Oral Answers to Questions

Bim Afolami Excerpts
Tuesday 20th March 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As the hon. Gentleman will know, these figures cover England and Wales. He will also know that they do not take account of changes in population or changes in demography, so we use the age-standardised mortality rate, which, according to Public Health England, has remained broadly stable over recent years.

Bim Afolami Portrait Bim Afolami (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con)
- Hansard - -

Does my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recognise the strong business case for the merger between Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and Bedford Hospital in terms of delivering value for money for our local health economy?

Steve Barclay Portrait Stephen Barclay
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend has been assiduous, as have his neighbours, in lobbying the case for Luton and Dunstable and Bedford. He will be aware that the ongoing business case is being reviewed as part of that, but ultimately this is about the £3.9 billion of additional capital investment that the Government have funded. That is why these cases are being reviewed.