Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will retain the previous Government's commitment to release funds to West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for the purpose of commencing construction of the new hospital at Watford General before the end of 2026.

The National Health Service is broken, and the Government is determined to fix it. We recognise the need for investment in NHS estates across the country, including at Watford General Hospital. We will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded, and a realistic timetable for delivery. He will consider this carefully then report back to patients, clinicians, and local communities to confirm any possible revisions to the schedule.