Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Roome Excerpts

Wednesday 29th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend has been relentless in seeking to boost growth and investment in Ipswich and Suffolk. The gridlock his constituents face underlines the failure of the Conservatives to deal with that when they had the chance to do so. We will fast track decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects to kick-start growth, and I will ensure that my hon. Friend gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss the issues of concern to him.

[Ian Roome (North Devon) (LD)]

Q5. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Ed Davey) said earlier, last week North Devon district hospital got the devastating news that investment would be delayed for 10 years, beyond 2035. In the five years since the last Government’s empty promises, our hospital’s maintenance backlog has grown to over £40 million. Given that £200 million has reportedly been spent just on consultancy fees for the new hospital programme, what funding for extra maintenance will be available for those hospitals that now face another decade of waiting?

[The Prime Minister]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising the issue. His constituents will be angry and frustrated at the empty, unfunded promises left by the Conservatives. Let us be clear, under their non-plan, North Devon district hospital would simply not have been delivered—it was not just delayed; it was never going to be delivered. Conservative Members know that, the hon. Gentleman knows that and his constituents know that. We have put in place a funded, deliverable plan that will see the hospital built, and we will work closely with the trust to accelerate work. The Conservative party owes his constituents an apology.