Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on Jeremy Hunt and Simon Steven’s appearance before the Health Select Committee today, said:

“We now know the truth: the Tories have failed to give the NHS the money it needs to protect patient care. 

“Despite all of the Government’s spin, the Chief Executive of the NHS made clear that the NHS did not get the funding it asked for over the next four years and has a ‘hill to climb’ to maintain current services.

“The dramatic decline in NHS finances over the past few years has left A&E departments at breaking point, hospital wards dangerously overcrowded and millions of patients having to wait months for essential operations.  

“Theresa May needs to stop ignoring the warnings from NHS bosses and start taking action to address the cash crisis facing the health service.”