Oral Answers to Questions

Meg Hillier Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Philip Dunne)]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for recognising the work that went into reopening the A&E at Chorley last month. I am delighted, in particular, by the work that was done by the Deputy Speaker and my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Seema Kennedy).

[Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op)]

T7. Last year, hospital trusts were urged by Department of Health officials to raid their capital budgets to cover resource funding. Does the Secretary of State think that is a good way forward, and what instructions is he giving officials this year?

[Mr Hunt]

I recognise that it is not a sustainable position to have to do that. Pressures on the frontline meant that it had to happen, but we do need to invest for the future and I agree with the hon. Lady that capital budgets are very important.