Heidi Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to Norman Lamb’s interview in the Observer, said:

“Norman Lamb is right to highlight the severity and immediacy of the financial pressures facing the NHS - it’s just a shame he wasn’t this up front when in Government. 

"The worrying truth is that hospital bosses all over the country face a stark choice between balancing the books and delivering safe care. 

"Cuts to social care budgets, the rapidly rising bill for agency staff and a lack of joined up prevention and early intervention services mean that the NHS is close to breaking point. 

"Norman Lamb calls for honesty about the scale of problem but he needs to be honest about the legacy of the last Government of which he was a part.”