Points of Order

Caroline Johnson Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. On 15 October 2024, the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the right hon. Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting), said:

“This Government are committed, as we were in opposition, to doubling the number of medical school places.”—[Official Report, 15 October 2024; Vol. 754, c. 683.]

On 22 April 2026, in a Westminster Hall debate, the current Minister for Care, the hon. Member for Aberafan Maesteg (Stephen Kinnock), said:

“Yes, it is still our intention to double the number of medical school places.”—[Official Report, 22 April 2026; Vol. 784, c. 134WH.]

However, on 27 April, some five days later, the Minister for Care issued a somewhat bizarre ministerial correction. He said:

“The Government have never committed to doubling medical school places.”—[Official Report, 27 April 2026; Vol. 784, c. 3MC.]

Given what was said by so many Ministers before the election, and by the former Secretary of State at the Dispatch Box, how can that be accurate? I raised this issue with the Minister for Secondary Care, the hon. Member for Bristol South (Karin Smyth), in the Health Bill Committee last week, but there has still been no response. How can I establish whether that is still Government policy?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

The hon. Member is an experienced parliamentarian and will know that I am not responsible for the Government’s policy position—if only I were. She will know that there are many ways in which this issue can be pursued with Ministers, and the Clerks and the Table Office are also available to advise her. No doubt those on the Treasury Front Bench will have heard her and will ensure that she gets a response in due course.