This is a hugely important problem for the country, because the current levels are not just bad for those waiting a long time for NHS treatment; they are also bad for the economy, because we have so many people in that position. That number has started to fall slightly since we came into office, but it will take a long and sustained effort and a combination of investment and reform. I am glad that we were able to announce the biggest increase in NHS funding since 2010 outside the pandemic period, but that has to be used in a way that gets waiting lists down, helps the people waiting for NHS treatment and, crucially, helps produce the economic growth and productivity we need. The truth is too many people are waiting in pain and too many people of working age are out of work on long-term sickness benefits, and we have to do something about both those things if we are to meet our economic growth targets and get the rising living standards we want to see.
Plan for Change: Milestones for Mission-led Government
Proceeding contribution from
Pat McFadden
(Labour)
in the House of Commons on Thursday, 5 December 2024.
It occurred during Ministerial statement on Plan for Change: Milestones for Mission-led Government.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
758 c478 
Session
2024-25
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Librarians' tools
Timestamp
2024-12-06 11:45:50 +0000
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