Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Keir Starmer and Matt Turmaine

Wednesday 14th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

There are no done deals here; we are going through the proper process.

[Matt Turmaine (Watford) (Lab)]

The staff at West Hertfordshire teaching hospitals NHS trust, which operates Watford general hospital in my constituency, have been very busy bees. They recently won trust of the year and a performance recovery award at the 2025 Health Service Journal awards. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the amazing team at Watford general, and thank them for all the hard work they have done to achieve this admirable accolade? Imagine what further achievements they will make when they have their new hospital and new facilities.

[The Prime Minister]

I will join my hon. Friend, and thank not only the staff in his hospital, but NHS staff across the country, who worked so hard over Christmas and new year, which is a notoriously difficult time.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Keir Starmer and Matt Turmaine

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I thought the hon. Lady was just reading out the last Government’s record.

[Matt Turmaine (Watford) (Lab)]

Q14. Before the last election, the Conservatives baselessly promised a fully funded scheme to deliver a new Watford hospital—something they failed to achieve in 14 years. Does the Prime Minister share my frustration, and that of my constituents, that the Conservatives unforgivably failed to budget for its construction? Watford will only get its new hospital built and paid for thanks to the properly planned approach of this Labour Government.

[The Prime Minister]

I am not surprised that my hon. Friend’s constituents are frustrated. There was never a plan; the funding only ever existed in Boris Johnson’s imagination. It was pure fiction and the Conservatives know it. We have an affordable delivery plan to build these new hospitals, including Watford general, and we will be getting on with it.