Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jo Stevens and Lincoln Jopp

Wednesday 11th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

4. What steps she is taking with the Welsh Government to help reduce NHS waiting lists in Wales.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

5. What assessment she has made with the Welsh Government of trends in levels of NHS waiting lists in Wales in the last 12 months.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

Both the UK and Welsh Governments are seized of the need to drive down waiting lists. The spending review provided the Welsh Government with an additional £1.7 billion for next year to invest in public services such as the NHS. The Welsh Government recently announced an additional £50 million in this year to reduce the longest waiting times by increasing capacity for more people to be seen and treated.

[Jo Stevens]

If I were the hon. Gentleman, I would be a bit embarrassed about raising the subject of new hospitals given his Government’s record. The Welsh Government have just had a £21 billion record settlement, £1.7 billion of Barnett consequentials and, with the Welsh Government’s Budget yesterday, £610 million for the NHS and social care to bring down waiting lists and increase capacity. The Welsh Government are focusing on the priorities of the Welsh public.

[Lincoln Jopp]

The Labour party has been in charge in Wales for 25 years. The percentage of patients in Wales waiting more than a year for treatment is 22.5%, compared with 4% in England. Why, in 25 years of being in charge, have you not reformed the NHS in Wales and brought down waiting lists?

[Jo Stevens]

I am not sure Mr Speaker is in charge of reforming the NHS in Wales. I say to the hon. Gentleman that under the previous Conservative Government, waiting lists increased by a larger percentage in England than they did in Wales.